By Shyam Sundar Vattam 

Mysore/Mysuru: One of the major problems faced by Corona patients undergoing treatment in designated COVID-19 Hospitals has been loneliness.  

More than COVID, it is loneliness that affects the patients more as they stay away from their near and dear ones for days together. They also break mentally so much so that they will not only go into depression but also lose hope. 

To address this problem, a member of COVID-19 Task Force has suggested to the State Government to allow at least a member of the Corona positive patient being treated in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with PPE kit to spend some time with him or her. This meeting of patient with a family member helps to come out of depression as well as get confidence to recover and come out of hospital.  Though the meeting will be for a short duration it will create positive vibes in the patient which is very important. 

An officer close to Medical Education Minister Dr. K. Sudhakar told Star of Mysore that the State Government is seriously considering this proposal as it may help in the speedy recovery of patients. This proposal will be taken up in the next Task Force Committee meeting to find out its pros and cons before its implementation. 

People do not mind buying PPE kits to meet their loved ones as it is safe for them from contracting the virus. Modalities are being worked out and soon it will be implemented at least in Government-run Covid Hospitals. Private Hospitals will also be asked to follow suit in the interest of patients.  

The Officer said the Minister was considering another proposal of allowing three or four members of family of deceased Covid-19 patients to attend last rites by wearing PPE kits. 

Presently, last rites of Covid dead patients are performed by Health Department personnel without handing over the bodies to their relatives. This has upset many families as they cannot perform last rites of their loved ones.  Since it was an emotional issue the same will be discussed in the coming Task Force meeting before implementing the same, he added.