Kerala: Doctors in the dark regarding crucial data of Covid patients

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Highlighting the hazards being faced by healthcare staff and their fears amid the surge in Covid-19 cases in the state, the state branch of Indian Medical Association has sought a Doctor's Day gift from the state government - conduct more tests among doctors and healthcare workers.

The association has also raised concern over the lack of transparency in sharing the clinical details of Covid-19 patients with healthcare professionals. IMA state president Dr Abraham Varghese said a data analysis of patients' symptomatology, pathophysiology and treatment had not been done yet, or if it had been done, it has not been shared with even the medical fraternity.

"The data remains in the Covid centres, which are government institutions at present. Considering that around 70% patients in our state depend on private healthcare workers and institutions, it is an injustice in a crisis situation like this to keep healthcare workers in such institutions in the dark," he said.

Dr Varghese said going ahead, one should redefine strategies by taking into account the advice of subject experts, the modern medical professionals. "In a pandemic like this, when there is a huge increase in the number of patients, the clinician's role will be the most important than anyone else and strategies have to be planned accordingly," he said.