Patients visiting the Apkesha Hospital in Maharagama have pointed out that there is zero enforcement and adherence to Covid 19 social distancing regulations at the hospital and therefore are putting patients already suffering from Cancer at great risk of contracting Covid 19.
According to a social media user who had recently visited the hospital cancer patients are severely immune compromised due to their treatments.
“You can imagine what happens to someone with no immune system if they are exposed to Covid. But this is how it goes down at the Clinic Building of Apeksha Cancer Hospital in Maharagama” the visitor identified as Natalie said.
According to her when the clinic opens, nurses make announcements about social distancing, explaining to patients that their weakened immune systems put them at extra risk.
“But this falls on deaf ears. Everyone sits and stands, huddled together to hear their names being called when it’s their turn to see a clinic doctor. Some nurses confirmed to me that they find at least one Coronavirus positive case in the clinic each day due to the lack of social distancing. What is the point in battling cancer for months and years if you end up dying of the pandemic instead?” she said.
She added that this is a case of patient ignorance, the hospital not having a PA system resulting in patients needing to huddle around clinic doors to hear their names called and also a hospital that specializes in cancer care not *enforcing* social distancing knowing very well that cancer patients are at higher risk. She urged the authorities to take necessary action in this regard to safeguard the lives of the patients.
