Let critical patients meet kin: Shiv Sena corporator

Relatives of Covid-19 patients are not allowed inside wards, they have to drop off supplies at the entrance. Representation pic

A Shiv Sena corporator and the chairman of the BMC's Improvement Committee, Sadanand Parab, has written to the commissioner to allow close relatives of critical Covid-19 patients to meet them at the hospital. With Covid-19 taking a toll on patients, in addition to the loneliness and isolation that adds to their mental stress, the corporator believes that if patients get to see their kin, they might recover faster.

Hospitals in the city have been taking various measures to make sure patients remain relaxed and stress free and have been trying to maintain contacts between patients and their families by being the messenger. Parab, however, has demanded that immediate kin be allowed to see the patient by taking appropriate precautions, including wearing PPE kits.

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Parab stated how when the condition of patients deteriorates, they have to go from getting oxygen to being on ventilator support. But if the patient were to meet their family, hear their voice, they may get the emotional and mental strength to fight the disease and recover.

"Families are restricted from entering Covid-19 wards and have to drop off things for them at the entrance. Critical patients may be allowed to meet kin whom them haven't seen in 14 days. With many families having lost loved ones to Covid-19, this move can help those who feel that a patient might survive if they get emotional support from their family," Parab said.