Hospitals committed to Covid cases, all other patients put on hold

Public health experts warn that unless a protocol is designed to handle the medical necessities apart from Covid-19, the country is set to see a sudden spike in deaths from preventable illnesses.

Radhakrishnan (name changed) suffers from stomach cancer and his frail body — he is over 70 —has undergone multiple surgeries in recent months. Last week, when his pain shot up to unbearable levels, he went to the hospital in Nungambakkam, a Chennai neighbourhood, to see his regular doctor. The doctor was not there. He had refused to come to work fearing the coronavirus. Radhakrishnan had to consult a resident doctor who gave him some medication.
 

A 60-year old widow living in the northern fringes of the national capital went for her regular dialysis at a government hospital but found the