Lucknow: The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh Sunday withdrew an order that banned the use of cellphones in isolation wards of Covid-19 hospitals on the grounds that it “involves risk of spreading the infection”.
The order issued by the state’s medical education department late Saturday night said, “…patients admitted in L-2 & L-3 Covid hospitals will not be allowed to carry their mobile phones in the ward.” Under the central government’s guidelines, L-2 hospitals are for “clinically moderate-level serious patients” while L3 hospitals provide “comprehensive care to severe and critical patients”.
According to the UP government’s order, issued by Director General of Medical Education, Dr K.K. Gupta, patients were to communicate with their families through other phones. Two mobile phones were to be available with the ward in-charge of the Covid-19 hospitals so that patients could talk to their family members and administration if required, the order had said.
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Opposition slams move
The UP government has now withdrawn the order following trenchant criticism on social media, particularly from opposition parties, which claimed the measure was an attempt to hide mismanagement in isolation wards.
Former UP CM & Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav had tweeted that mobile phones provide mental relief to patients in isolation and that their ban is an attempt to hide mismanagement in the wards.
अगर मोबाइल से संक्रमण फैलता है तो आइसोलेशन वार्ड के साथ पूरे देश में इसे बैन कर देना चाहिए. यही तो अकेले में मानसिक सहारा बनता है. वस्तुतः अस्पतालों की दुर्व्यवस्था व दुर्दशा का सच जनता तक न पहुँचे, इसीलिए ये पाबंदी है. ज़रूरत मोबाइल की पाबंदी की नहीं बल्कि सैनेटाइज़ करने की है.
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) May 24, 2020
UP Congress spokesperson Anshu Awasthi wondered how the government was going to monitor patients through the Aarogya Setu app.
“If mobile phones are banned in Covid-19 hospitals, then what’s the use of downloading the Arogya Setu app? Isn’t this app required for people who are admitted in isolation wards?” Awasthi asked. “The government should clarify its order.”
“The government does not want to be exposed. They are providing poor facilities in the isolation wards,” he added.
Cell phone and Covid-19
Though a group of doctors from AIIMS, Raipur, had recommended restrictions on the use of mobile phones in healthcare institutions amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the theory does not have scientific consensus.
Former UP chief medical officer Dr. Ashok Mishra told ThePrint that the move was “not logical”. “Many patients may feel stressed after this order,” the former CMO said. “For releasing mental pressure, cell phones allow patients to stay engaged. If there is any risk in carrying them then hospital managements should sanitise the phones.”
“These are administrative issues and the medical education department should not involve itself in it,” he added.
ThePrint contacted Dr. K.K. Gupta, Director General of Medical Education, but he didn’t answer. The report will be updated if a response is received.
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