The ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) has introduced new testing guidelines for the coronavirus to be followed by the Government of Tamil Nadu. Hitherto, pregnant women were to be screened a week before the expected date of delivery. As per the new guidelines of ICMR, the state government should test only symptomatic expected mother for coronavirus. The obstetrician and gynaecologists are a worried lot as this will be resulting in patient-to-patient transmission in the labour wards. A woman does not know whether she is infected with virus and if so, it may result in spreading it to other pregnant women who are in the same ward, resulting in increase in number of cases, adding woes the state is already experiencing spike in cases day by day.
The Government doctors are of the view that every pretnant woman should be tested before five to ten days of expected date of delivery.
If every patient has to be treated for COVID-19 positive, the doctors have to wear personal protective equipment while treating pregnant women. Doctors are not going to screen all pregnant women and separate those who have tested positive for COVID-19 from those who tested negative. If a woman tested positive, she can be treated with special care. It will be a risk if they are not screened and kept side by side with other women. A governent doctor is of the view that obstetrics was a neglected area amongst COVID-19 pandemic, the risk of cross infection might get spread to the new born. Physical distancing and deploying required manpower are the vital areas needed to be checked every now and then.
Another government hospital doctor claims screen women one week before EDD, screen from containment zones and again screen symptomatic women. Do not postpone procedures for want of test results. Obstetricians and gynaecologists are at liberty to decide about screening of pregnant women.
A paediatrician claims infection was transmitted to the new born also which warrants of screening of all pregnant women.
Let there be a quick solution between ICMR, state government and its doctors to ensure smooth functioning of the Obstetrics and Gynaecologist Department.
Comments
Post a Comment