Referral cases burden Rajindra Hospital: Assn

Patiala, July 20

The Punjab State Medical and Dental Teachers Association (PSMDTA) has demanded curtailing unwanted referral of Covid-19 and suspected cases from other districts, especially from Ludhiana, to the Government Rajindra Hospital. The association urged the Directorate of Health Services, Punjab, to issue strict orders to avoid such unwanted referral of patients.

Dr DS Bhullar, president, PSMDTA, said, “Unwanted referral not only embarrass relatives of patients and the health staff, but also put financial burden. The healthcare of patients already under treatment at the isolation ward of the Hospital is also compromised.”

“In case of death of a patient, shifting of body poses difficulties,” he added. The association demanded that the Civil Surgeon’s office of the district concerned should certify that such facility was not available at the hospital and patient could avail medical aid from a tertiary care centre. — TNS