In Karnataka, an average of 32,000 new Covid cases were recorded in the Health and Family Welfare reports on May 20. The tragic incident at Chamarajanagar on May 12, where 24 people died of Covid due to lack of oxygen, drew national as well as international attention. To deal with the unexpected second wave, the state’s government, NGOs, and other organisations are attempting to establish Covid Care Centres across the state.
The Institute of Public Health, Bengaluru (IPH) has been working to assist individuals as well as government in Covid-affected areas in both Chamarajanagar and Bengaluru. Speaking to News Karnataka, Dr Pragathi Hebbar, assistant director at Institute of Public Health said that, “IPH has been working on Covid relief initiatives both in Bengaluru and Chamarajanagar districts since first wave. Our primary goal has been to engage with and support the government, which has been overburdened by the pandemic.”
Pragathi went on to say that, when it comes to providing technical assistance, they simplify and translate WHO and other international guidelines to Kannada for people if it is too difficult for them to comprehend. The team has also created a patient checklist that can be used to combat the prevailing situation.
“We’ve been helping patients through tele-triage, in which medical volunteers answer some of the calls that keep flooding in to government helplines. Then we check to see if the patient needs a bed right away or if he can be isolated at home. This prevents too many individuals from rushing to the hospital,” added Pragathi.
Pragathi mentioned that IPH staffs work closely with district and taluk level hospitals, assisting them in patient triage. They have been also providing PPE kits, oximeters, mattresses, oxygen concentrators, and other items to hospitals and patients. “We’ve also started a fund-raising campaign to help people in Bengaluru and Chamarajanagar.
When asked about the tragic incident happened in Chamarajanagar due to oxygen shortage, Pragathi said that, “The second wave was unexpected. Even large hospitals in major cities lacked resources and were facing several issues. I believe that a small, average-performing district like Chamarajnagar may nonetheless be experiencing shortages and challenges. The tragedy has resulted in a lot of openness to engage with stakeholders who want to make a significant contribution.”
Pragathi reiterated that masks, sanitisation, distance, and ventilation are four easy precautions that the public can take to protect themselves. By assisting the government and individuals in combating the pandemic, the organisation hopes to have a positive impact on society.
