10 digital X-ray machines to help BMC detect virus in asymptomatic patients
Following in the footsteps of China, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has now decided to examine suspected and asymptomatic Covid patients using X-ray machines. Ten digital X-ray machines have been installed at various jumbo centres to help in the early diagnosis of patients, especially asymptomatic ones. Health experts have welcomed the development.
Earlier this month, the civic body had installed an X-ray machine at the quarantine facility National Sports Club of India (NSCI) Dome in Worli, where 500 suspected patients are being screened for coronavirus every day. After receiving a positive response, the corporation has now decided to extend the facility at other jumbo quarantine centres such as the NESCO Exhibition Centre in Goregaon and the 1,000-bed facility at Bandrakurla Complex (BKC).
Additional municipal commissioner Suresh Kakani said, “World-wide, X-ray and CT scans have helped in identifying patients even without symptoms. If this procedure becomes fruitful, then we will install X-ray machines in Dharavi and other slum areas for screening.” Along with asymptomatic patients, X-ray machines can also help in identifying the presence of the virus in those patients whose swab tests have come negative but are carriers of the virus, said radiologists.
The radiology screening of the lungs can also help in distinguishing the Sars-cov-2 – the virus that causes Covid-19 and affects the lungs of patients – from other respiratory ailments.
“As we can’t run swab tests on asymptomatic patients, this process can help us in identifying more Covid patients,” Dr Hemang Deshmukh, dean of King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital, Parel, said.
Infectious diseases expert Dr Vikrant Shah said that China had adopted the policy for its patients.
“This technology can also help in controlling the false positive reporting of cases. BMC should have taken the step earlier. Other than swab tests, a physician can identify a Covid patient through X-rays and oxygen saturation level. So, this diagnosis system will course help in identifying patients earlier,” he said.
14 KDMT BUSES WILL FERRY ASYMPTOMATIC COVID PATIENTS
Municipal Corporation (KDMC) is preparing 14 of its civic buses to carry asymptomatic patients to quarantine centre.
The midi-buses will have a glass partition near the driver’s seat. A volunteer will guide the patients. “KDMC’S 20 ambulances will be only for patients with symptoms, elderly patients and children. Asymptomatic patients will be sent in the bus. This will help decrease the load on ambulances and also ensure the patients are sent to the quarantine centre without delay,” said Dipesh Mhatre, former standing committee chairman of KDMC, who approached the civic body chief Vijay Suryavanshi with the idea.
KDMC is using 28 private ambulances, of which 12 are for cardiac patients and five for Covid patients.
Kalyan-dombivli Municipal Transport (KDMT) general manager Maruti Khodke said, “We have 28 midi buses, out of which, eight are for staffers of primary health care centres.”