Respite for patients as elective surgeries begin

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 29

The decision by the state government to allow elective surgeries in private and government hospitals has come as a big respite for patients.

Earlier, elective surgeries in the state were stopped during the second week of April to ensure availability of medical resources for Covid patients as positivity rate had increased manifold.

Experts said elective surgeries cannot be postponed for long as it aggravates condition of a patient. “Surgeries are elective only in the sense that a doctor and a patient have time to plan these. These cannot be delayed for months,” said a physician.

Joginder Kaur, a resident, said she was all set to get her eye operated for cataract when the government took the decision to defer surgeries. She said she would again consult his doctor.

While the number of infections and casualties due to the Covid-19 have dropped significantly, officials of the Health Department said number of beds reserved for Covid patients would not be decreased. “Elective surgeries are allowed to the extent that it does not have any bearing on resources dedicated for Covid management,” said an official.