Bangalore hospital gears up to face Ebola virus

Screening at Kempegowda International Airport from today

With the fear of Ebola virus gripping across the world, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases (RGICD) in the City is gearing up to face those suspected to have contracted the deadly virus.

Being the City’s referral hospital for those suspected to have contracted the virus, the institute will now be prepared with separate rooms to ensure patient isolation.

Speaking to Deccan Herald on Sunday, Dr Shashidhar Buggi, Director, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases said: “There are six rooms and two halls that have been kept aside for the same. After the out-patient department was shifted to new building, these wards have been lying vacant,” He added that 16 beds can be put up in the area.

The officials of Department of Health and Family Welfare had called for a meeting on Sunday following which a list of precautionary measures have been put in place.“We have co-ordinated with the Regional Director of Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in the City.

Screening at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) will start on Monday. Along with MERS and Yellow fever screening, there would be screening for Ebola virus for patients who come from countries that are affected” said Geetha Nyamagoudar, Director, Department of Health and Family Welfare. 

She also said that other officials and hospital authorities have been alerted on dealing with an emergency.

Besides, Nyamagoudar said that those suspected and showing symptoms would be sent to the Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Chest Diseases and samples would be examined at the National Institute of Virology.

Dedicated centre

Dr Buggi said that he would write to the State Health department for setting up of a dedicated centre for virus attacks that are non-specific to India. He also suggested setting up of a Centre for Excellence dedicated to international patients who have contracted viruses such as Ebola and MERS. He opined that having separate wards would minimise the risk of contact.

“I request that the centre be made of international standards. There is enough space at the Institute itself for establishment of the same,” Buggi added.

“The advantage of housing such a centre would be that consultants would be available at a stone’s throw distance in case of an emergency,” the director said.

“We can isolate patients from visitors and further minimise the spreading of the disease. With cameras installed near patients, visitors can be allowed to interact with them at a safe distance. By this, we will also be meeting the international standards satisfying foreign patients,” Buggi added.