Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (AM)
Mangaluru, May 16: AJ Hospital on Saturday, May 16, filed a complaint at city cyber crime police station over fake news being spread on social media against the hospital.
The complaint was filed by the hospital after false news about AJ Hospital was being spread on Facebook page named 'Postman' that over 40 coronavirus-positive patients are in AJ Hospital. The same is being forwarded in WhatsApp as well.
Medical director of the hospital Dr Prashanth Marla K in a press release said that false news is being spread in social media that over 40 coronavirus-positive patients are in AJ Hospital.
He said, “In this era of COVID pandemic all are trying to infuse courage in the minds of people. As the Government says ‘we need to have the Information regarding COVID but should not fear regarding the disease’.
“All the healthcare workers who are known as COVID warriors who work hand in hand with the government and the police department in this crisis. They are working with all adverse conditions and the false social stigma.
“In this situation its responsibility of every individual to support and give courage to these frontline warriors, media plays a big role in boosting their morale; but it is sad that some miscreants are spreading false news in social media which will tilt this fine balance.
“People are scared to work in hospitals as well as it has created a panic situation in the minds of patients visiting hospitals. Government has given guidelines on managing hospitals and all are following their norms. As per their protocols when a healthcare worker uses personal protective equipment’s (PPE), they need not be quarantined. The patients visiting hospitals also need not worry of cross infection when protocols are followed.
“But a false news are being spread in social media regarding hospitals and it is reported that over 40 positive patients are in our hospital. This is baseless. The government releases its bulletin every day and this news is far from truth. As per precautionary measure 25 staff who were involved in managing her (P-1009) are kept under observation only. They are not tested positive at all.
“Just clapping, lighting lamp and ringing bell is not sufficient, appreciate the efforts of COVID warriors and support them instead of defaming them,” he stated in the press release.
It may be recalled, the hospital had treated a lady from Surathkal, referred by a hospital from Surathkal on May 12. She was seen in the emergency department and later shifted to isolation ICU. As the hospital follows all the guidelines of government, the throat swab of the said patient was sent to Government Wenlock Hospital and as the report was positive, as per the protocol the patient was shifted to government Wenlock Hospital on May 15.