“We ignored incoming Covid tsunami, now paying for our heedlessness”

Dr Upendra Kaul in an exclusive interview with Arising State Kashmir Bureau Chief, Zia Darakshan, opens up

The second wave of covid is taking a heavy toll on life and invading populations unabated. Available health infrastructure has crumbled to the might of the virus and proving meaningless. In a situation when the covid second wave refuses to die down, the causes of the virus going out of hand have become debatable.
In the context of Jammu and Kashmir promoting tourism and opening of paid gardens like the Tulip garden when we should have been strengthening the facilities to stop the incoming tsunami have been responsible for the mayhem which this virus has caused. There was a need to have seen what was happening in Europe and the USA. The government miserably failed to get the involvement of scientists/experts in viral diseases and epidemiologists to take feedback and strategize a plan to curb the deadly nature of the virus.
Fortunately, in the severe winter, there were no major festivals.  This led to numbers to remain manageable till recently. But we are now paying for our not heeding in time.
This is what a world-renowned cardiologist Prof Upendra Kaul among other things stated while in conversation with Zia Darakshan, Kashmir Bureau Chief of Arising State.

Prof. Kaul has been awarded Padma Shri and Dr. B C Roy Award. He is Chairman Cardiology and Dean Academics and Research, Batra Hospital and Medical Research Center.

     Excerpts of the interview:

Q : How do you analyze the Covid crisis in J&K?

AS:It is alarming and the numbers and deaths are increasing. People have started realizing it, but are still behaving irresponsibly.

Q : The deadly nature of the virus in the second phase is attributed to the lack of proper health infrastructure. Do you agree?

AS: Yes, it is a part of the infrastructure and meagre budgetary allocations for health which we have got from the centre. Promoting tourism and opening of paid gardens like the Tulip garden when we should have been strengthening the facilities to the incoming tsunami. Need to have seen what was happening in Europe and the USA.

Lack of involvement of scientists experts in viral diseases and epidemiologists to take feedback. Fortunately, after a severe winter, there were no major festivals.  This led to numbers to remain manageable till recently but we are now paying for our not heeding in time.

Q: At a time when the situation has been scary as daily deaths and positive cases surge alarmingly, a lot of stuff is circulated on social media about the dos and don’ts to prevent the attack of the virus. Don’t you think it has created anxiety among the people?

AS:Yes, vaccine hesitancy was a part of this and led to very slow acceptance. social media and general feelings conveyed were very negative. It was surprising to me that normally very health-conscious Kashmiris flouting all the norms and no COVID appropriate behaviour. I would have expected announcements to be made through loudspeakers in the downtown area and also the backwaters of the Dal lake regarding do’s and dont’s.

Q : So far the government has failed to curb the crisis as deaths are reported at an alarming pace. What should a common man do in this situation to save himself from getting consumed by the virus?

A: Self-protection. Staying indoors, maintaining isolation, cleanliness of surroundings, plenty of fluids at Sahri and after Iftiyar for those on Ramadan fasts. Maintain nutrition. Keep homes ventilated. Be very careful about the forthcoming Eid ul Fitr. Pray at home, don’t go to mosques. Loving yourself is loving Allah. Celebrate the festival with your family members only at home. No need of going out shopping, wear nice clean clothes which you already have. Zakat by distributing online, send food packets to deserving people, Online donations. There are several bodies. UMEED foundation is one, CEO Ajaz Rashid, can be contacted. 8825043198  for all the info. Remember it is an invisible devil and a big killer.

Q : The outbreak has led to medical inflation and people are suffering. What is your take on this?

AS: The pandemic has exposed the character of several individuals. Unfortunately, hoarding of drugs and oxygen cylinders has started making the already difficult situation very grim.

Unnecessary unproven drugs like indiscriminate use of antibiotics. Steroids are being self-prescribed forgetting that they can flare up the infection in mild cases. Remdesevir which has a very limited utility is being given and prescribed indiscriminately.

Q : What concrete suggestions would you like to give to the government which can help them to prevent further damage caused by the virus?

AS  : Increase in bed capacity of oxygen-enabled beds. Make all the district hospitals have demarcated areas. Even large vacant spaces can be kept ready with makeshift partitions and stations for health care workers. Interns and final year medical students and senior nursing students to be trained in recognizing the high-risk COVID patients and principles of management. Zakat money to be spent on making COVID isolation centres in residential localities to isolate and manage mild to moderate cases, till beds are available.

Q : There are reports that some local doctors calling themselves Covid experts are looting the gullible patients through unnecessary tests and even selling medicines at higher prices at their private clinics. How do you view this situation?

AS: These elements always crop up. Should be exposed and appropriate summary actions taken by the Medical council. People have to cooperate in this otherwise this trade would flourish.

(Prof Upendra Kaul, MD, DM, FCSI, FSCAI, FAPSIC, FACC, FAMS

Awarded Padmashiri and Dr B C Roy Award

Chairman Cardiology and Dean Academics and Research

Batra Hospital and Medical Research Center)