The fast-spreading Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) may not have come to India yet but the paranoia has already set in among the citizens. While the Health Ministry has issued a series of guidelines on prevention of the virus from spreading, there is widespread panic among people especially in the national Capital. Ram Manohar lohia (RMl) Hospital, which has been designated as the management centre for the disease, has been receiving constant phone calls and their Out Patient Departments (OPDs) have been cramped with enquiries from patients who are paranoid that they may be facing symptoms of EVD.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had set up a helpline for patients who wanted to enquire about the disease. Ever since the news of these suspected cases being taken to RMl Hospital has spread, the helpline has been receiving non-stop calls. According to sources in the Ministry, a total of 430 calls had been received within 24 hours of its activation. These calls were being made even by people who had a common cold.
The fear has rapidly spread amongst the people after a suspected case of EVD was reported to the RMl Hospital on Monday. “So far two suspected cases of EVD have come into the hospital. However, both have tested negative for EVD. They were sent to the hospital from the airport after they had symptoms which could have been linked to EVD,” said medical superintendent of RMl Hospital Dr HK Kar.
A doctor on one of the helpline numbers said, “We are getting all kinds of calls. Many people have even told us all the possible symptoms and we have asked them to get themselves tested. But one can sense the fear in these people since Ebola Virus spreads very quickly. We are doing our best to ensure complete assistance.”
People are even flocking hospitals to get checkups now. However, RMl Hospital has taken all measures that have been listed by the Ministry. “We have made Ebola isolated units and ICUs where all suspected cases are being admitted. Most cases are expected to come in from the airport. We are not putting anyone in isolation unless the chances of EVD in the person are a lot. Measures to ensure protection of healthcare workers have also been taken as per the international guidelines issued by the World Health Organization,” said Kar.
Other than RMl Hospital, the central government has also asked Safdarjung Hospital and lady Hardinge Medical College to keep aside beds for EVD cases, in case any are found.