Request to Cancel Non Urgent OPD and Elective Operating
Dear Friends
Further to my email sent a couple of weeks ago relating to the COVID 19 pandemic, 172 positive cases and three deaths have been reported in the Country. The Government has mounted a prompt/brisk response and India seems to be far better than other nations in containing the exponential spread of the virus.
However, we cannot be complacent. The next four weeks are absolutely crucial that would determine whether or not we win this “war”. ASI has been on the forefront in this regard, displaying responsible foresight by deferring our Meetings/Courses across the nation well before any other Organisation in the Country did, much before COVID 19 virulence took a serious turn.
At this time of crisis, Business cannot go on “as usual”. For the next couple of weeks, it is vitally important to cancel all non urgent OPD and elective operating lists. By and large, the Hospitals in the Government sector have already issued directions in this regard. We must impress upon the Private Managements to implement this policy in “letter and spirit”.
Elective surgeries utilise resources that should ideally be saved for critically ill patients. Hospital beds/ICU beds, Ventilators & personal protective equipment must be preserved. Private establishments may like to delay the decision to cancel elective cases as it would undoubtedly have a big financial impact. However, finances should be of secondary importance and our overriding focus when the chips are down is to keep the “eye on the ball” in saving more lives.
As the Hon’ble Prime Minister would be addressing the Nation this evening, I have sent him a tweet and a message to the PMO this morning, requesting him to make an earnest appeal to the Managements of Hospitals ( Private, in particular) in this regard(tweet enclosed). I have no doubt that a word from the PM will make a huge impact …
Hon’ble Prime Minister Sir, In your address to the Nation this evng, a request to include a message to Managements of hospitals (private in particular) to delay non urgent OPD/ elective operating for the next two weeks @narendramodi @PMOIndia @drharshvardhan @MoHFW_INDIA
— Raghu Ram Pillarisetti (@RRPillarisetti) March 19, 2020
Together, we will make the difference…
Kindest regards.
Yours in service…
Dr. P. Raghu Ram
MS, FRCS (Edin), FRCS (Eng), FRCS (Glasg), FRCS (Irel), Hon. FRCS (Thailand), FACS
Padma Shri Awardee (2015)
Dr.B.C. Roy National awardee (2016)
President
The Association of Surgeons of India
