Hospitals can work out appropriate protocols for disinfecting devices and allocating time slots

The Center has directed the states and Union Territories to allow COVID-19 patients the use of smartphones to stay in touch with their family and friends. This would provide them psychological support, the directive said.

Dr Rajiv Garg, DG of Health Services in the Health Ministry, said appropriate protocols for disinfecting devices and allocating time slots can be developed by the hospital concerned to facilitate contact between patients and their family, said a report in the Hindustan Times. He underlined that administrative and medical teams should be responsive to the psychological needs of patients admitted in COVID-19 wards and ICUs of various hospitals.

Social connection can calm down patients and also reinforce the psychological support given by the treating team, it said. The official letter stated that all concerned should allow smartphones and tablet devices in patient areas so that the patient can video conference with their family and friends.

Dr Garg pointed out that mobile phones are allowed in wards to enable the patients to stay in touch with family. But they had received complaints from patient families from some states that mobile phones are not being allowed by hospital administrations because of which they are not being able to contact the patient.

Read the full report in the Hindustan Times