Contingency measures set up at health centres to help prevent coronavirus spread

TDT | Manama

Primary healthcare centres have set up a series of contingency measures to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). These were announced yesterday by the Ministry of Health.

The Ministry said that patient safety and staff health and welfare are top priorities during this outbreak of the coronavirus, and as it is in all healthcare. In this light, citizens attending health centre have therefore been advised to adhere to a set of measures. They include the following:

• Visiting health centres only when necessary.

• Attending only 15 minutes before an appointment.

• Reserving appointments online or via the call centre instead of doing so personally.

• Leaving a metre’s distance away from other patients in the waiting area.

• Avoiding bringing children or others who are not seeking medical advice to the health centre.

• And going to the flu station immediately when entering the centre.

Meanwhile, the Ministry also advised others measures to help prevent the spread of the disease. Non-urgent appointments such as preschool and school screenings, women screenings and minor surgical procedures will be rescheduled. Dental services will also be provided only as emergency care, and tele-consultation services will be provided wherever it applies, such as in chronic disease follow-ups, postpartum services, and others.