Guwahati:
Assam Finance and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today inaugurated the ₹150 crore super-specialty block at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) that shall be used as a dedicated Covid-19 facility until the crisis is averted.
Centrally funded, the 4-floor-236-bed (186 ward, 50 ICU) superspeciality block at the GMCH will now be used to treat Covid-19 patients, with the number of cases nearing a thousand after the return of citizens who were stranded elsewhere. Biswa Sarma, who inaugurated the block amid much fanfare, has informed that the new state-of-the-art facility will greatly enhance the state Health department's abilities to combat the rapidly-spreading virus.
'Solution for Problematic' Air Conditioners at the Covid-19 hospital:
Although the Government had arranged a centralized air condition system, experts objected to this as it could lead to a transmission of the infectious Covid-19.
Sarma said that to ensure that there is no transmission of the virus, a UV (Ultra Violet) ray device was brought in from Canada to resolve this issue. "Along with the twenty air conditioners, we also set up these UV ray devices. When the conditioned air passed through the UV ray, it will be killed since the UV ray is far more powerful than the Covid-19 virus. Almost 99% of the transmission is negated by the UV radiation. This technology is similar to the technology that is being used at the AIIMS in Delhi", Sarma said.
Prioritizing Symptomatic Covid-19 Patients:
Biswa Sarma announced that this first-of-its kind hospital will cater primarily to the symptomatic patients. "We might admit non-symptomatic patients here, but we might shift them if the number of symptomatic patients shows a surge", said Sarma.
To ensure that the patients receive proper care, an operation theatre among other facilities have also been set up at the hospital. "This facility has been kept ready in case a surgical patient contracts Covid and also needs surgery at the same time. To ensure that we are prepared to deal with such tough and challenging situations, we have set up these facilities", Sarma announced. "This will strengthen our resolve to fight the Covid-19", Sarma said, adding that after the crisis period is over, this facility will continue its function as a super specialty hospital.