Collector peeved as CMC admits COVID patients from Chennai

Chennai

Collector A Shanmuga Sundaram called for a meeting with CMD director JV Peter, medical superintendent Dr Prasad Mathews along with SP Pravesh Kumar and DRO J Parthiban to sort out the issue.

The issue got big as nearly five positive cases from Chennai are being admitted by the hospital without informing district administration. Health Department officials said, “we are not informed.” Asked how cases could enter the district despite strict checking, Collector Shanmuga Sundaram said, “We feel that they might be using ambulances, as we usually do not stop it. The SP has been asked to find out the modus operandi.”

An anguished Collector in a WhatsApp message said, “All my staff’s strenuous efforts should not be taken for granted.” Health officials said, “When we ask CMC about positive cases they say they came only after they were assured admission. So why is the hospital keeping us in the dark?”

The death of two persons is also a reason why officials are on high alert. “While the first death in March was that of a CMC patient, the second fatality was a woman with comorbidities.

Agreeing that the issue needed to be ironed out, CMC director Peter said, “We do not know what to do as we cannot say no to patients. The cases are usually those known to individual doctors.” Asked why officials were not informed he said, “We send daily reports to local health officials and to the Chennai COVID-19 control room.”