In Far Reaches Of Western Ghats, Doctors Are Trekking In PPE Kits To Reach COVID-19 Patients

Doctors around the world are stretching thin to go beyond their duties and helping out as many people in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Tech-savvy doctors have switched to telemedicine to consult patients, while some are putting in severe physical efforts.

Doctors of Shri Krishna Hospital in Kakkinje, Belthangady taluk in Dakshina Kannada have opted for a rather adventurous method of treatment to those in need - garbed in personal protective equipment (PPE) kits, doctors are trekking to remote villages in the remote areas of Western Ghats.

Medical director of the hospital, which is located at the foot of the Western Ghats in Belthangady, Dr Murali Krishna Irwathraya pointed out that theirs was the only healthcare institution within a 40km-radius in the Charmadi area.

representational Image

Speaking to The Times of India, Dr Murali Krishna said, "Our ambulances can be booked with a phone call. Since doctors are generally disinclined to work in rural areas, we are a small team of doctors working at our 30-bed facility. One of the doctors is my wife Dr Vandana M Irwathraya. Many patients visit our hospital from distances as far as 25km. We also have a dedicated ambulance to ensure that accident victims are brought to the hospital without delay."

He said there have been instances when doctors had to trek for a kilometre wearing PPE kits since the terrain is such that the ambulance cannot go all the way to the patients¡¯ homes. We provide general body check-up, dressing, nebulisation and ECG services on such visits. All staff deployed on these visits are provided PPE kits,¡± Dr Murali Krishna added.