In the view of outbreak of COVID-19 Pandemic, to combat with Corona virus Railway Hospital, Vijayawada has geared up its entire machinery in a big way to take comprehensive measures to curtail the spread. Divisional Railway hospital has setup a 24×7 Fever Clinic with separate entrance and OPD for suspected patients with flu like symptoms as per the WHO protocol and guidelines for COVID management. The newly set up fever clinic is being run round the clock with exclusive Doctors, Nursing staff, Pharmacists and Health care workers available in all three shifts with proper personal protective equipment. A separate fever desk is placed at the entrance of the hospital with Public Address system to guide the patients with fever & flu symptoms.
In addition to this, Tele consultation & video consultation facility through Google duo were initiated for the purpose of staff to avoid coming to hospitals for regular OPD services. Employees can consult the duty doctor through Video Calling, auto phones (Railway Phones) and mobiles for necessary guidance on medical aspects. Recently a no contact swab collection window was also opened at the ENT clinic of Railway hospital for collection of specimen from suspected patients without any exposure to doctor.
As per Railway Board instructions, reimbursement facility is provided at Railway Hospital till lock down period, and employees & pensioners can purchase their monthly OPD medicines for chronic diseases like Diabetes, Blood Pressure, heart diseases, epilepsy and other neuro related disorders locally, which will be reimbursed to them on producing the original bill after lock down period. This facility is provided to avoid/dissuade Senior Citizens & employees coming to Railway Hospital for their monthly medicines in the wake of Covid-19 crisis.
COVID 19 Isolation wards
In the prevailing emergency situation to combat with the Covid -19, separate isolation cum COVID wards are set up with 53 beds WITH ICU at Railway Hospital, Vijayawada in addition to Quarantine facilities at Satyanarayanapuram, Rayanapadu, Bittragunta, Eluru, Tenali, Rajahmundry, Gudur, Bhimavaram & Samalkot.
All the Doctors of the Division were briefed and trained about the protocol procedure for treating the pandemic COVID-19 patients through video conferencing by Ministry of Health, Govt of India in coordination with Railway Board. Further, all the Para Medical staff like Nurses, Lab Technician, Pharmacists, Nursing Assistants, Hospital Attendants of the Zone are properly trained and counseled about the precautions and steps to be taken while dealing with Covid -19 patients. As advised by the Railway Board, all the Railway Hospitals are also extending medical services to all other Central Government employees to cater their medical needs in the prevailing emergent situation.
Speaking on the occasion, V. V. Satyanarayana, Chief Medical Superintendent advised the elderly pensioners and employees to stay indoors safely and avail the teleservices offered by Railway hospital, Vijayawada and strictly adhere to social distancing measures. He also said that Medical Department has taken plethora of measures related to controlling the pandemic by taking up regular disinfection sprays & maintaining cleanliness to the best possible standards.
- Srinivas, Divisional Railway Manager, Vijayawada has expressed his satisfaction over the steps being taken by medical wing and facilities provided at Railway Hospital, Vijayawada. He also advised all the employees to strictly follow the precautionary measures to contain the spread of Corona virus and to teleconsult the Railway Hospital doctors in case of any health issues, so that they can have proper medical guidance of well experienced Doctors.