Bicholim: As the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has thrown challenges for the patients suffering from the Chronic Kidney Diseases (CKD), primary healthcare provider CHC Bicholim has launched a dedicated dialysis care centre in association with Apex Kidney Centre. The initiative was started so that the CKD patients don’t miss their scheduled dialysis in such unprecedented times.
The centre was inaugurated by by the speaker of assembly Shri Rajesh Patnekar in the presence of MLA of Mayem constituency Shri Pravin Zantye, health officer Dr Medha Salkar, Dr Sheetal Lengde of Apex Kidney Care , Dr Shekhar Salkar , Mr Kundan Falari, Chairperson of Bicholim Muncipaliti, Sarpanch of Sarvan Panchayat Shri Gokuldas Sawant, Sarpanch of Mayem Mrs Seema Arondekar and other Panch members ,staff of Apex Kidney Care and staff of CHC bicholim .
“The Covid-19 cases have increased in Goa and owing to that there are partial lockdowns in many places. Subsequently, dialysis patients in Bicholim and nearby places are going through severe crisis as skipping a dialysis session can be determental to their health. Almost 20 patients in and around Bicholim need thrice a week dialysis which will be done in this centre totally free of cost. There has also been dearth of affordable dialysis centres in the city and the patients have been going through severe challenges ingetting their dialysis done in such unprecedented times. That’s why we decided to come up with a dedicated dialysis centre in our hospital to provide a helping hand to those patients,” said Dr Medha Salkar.
The hospital has been taking many steps to ensure the patient doesn’t catch any infection. Dialysis personnel, attendants and caregivers all wear a three- layer surgical facemask while they are inside dialysis unit. Staff caring for suspected cases doesn’t look after other patients during the same shift. Dialysis staff uses all personal protective equipment (PPE) for strongly suspected patientsof COVID-19. They have been separating equipments like stethoscopes,thermometers, Oxygen saturation probes and blood pressure cuffs betweenpatients with appropriate cleaning and disinfection done in between shifts.
Shri Pravin Zantye expressed his happiness and gave his wishes to apex kidney care unit and appealed to people to take benefit as it is totally free of cost.
