WITH the rampant spread of Covid-19, people were seriously worried over getting the required medical and health services. Non-availability of beds in government hospitals and heavy charges collected by private nursing homes left the patients and their families in depression and disarray. In this background, some well-wishers mooted the idea of running an isolation centre under the aegis of Makineni Basavapunnaiah Vignana Kendram (MBVK) Trust. The trust committee discussed and decided to start a Covid isolation centre in the premises of newly constructed Balotsav Bhavan at Vijayawada. Balotsav patron, Chaluvadi Mallikarjuna Rao, Dr Vasireddy Ramesh of Kottagudem, Alapati Nageswara Rao of Eluru, an educationist of Anantapuram, S Shamim Shamiula and SSR Jagannadha Rao of Kakinada and some others encouraged this initiative.

The isolation centre was started on August 19 with a capacity of 34 beds. Dr Makineni Kiran of Peoples’ Hospital, Vijayawada, Dr Gaddipati Baburao, Pulmonologist, Guntur, Dr Sivababu of Jaheerabad, Dr M Anuradha and Dr Ravi, both from Vijaywada have been rendering the medical services. Nursing staff and supporting staff came forward to serve at the isolation centre. A managing committee comprising P Murali Krishna, Swaruparani, Surya Rao, Malyadri and Muzaffar Ahmed are looking after the day to day affairs. The centre has been running successfully with the services all these people who thrived hard amidst the panic situation of the pandemic. The commitment of the doctors, staff and the organisers is crucial in rendering the services. The services to the cholera-stricken people by P Sundaraiah, Dr Ramachandra Reddy, Dr Sesha Reddy and others is the inspiration for them. Dr P Ramachandra Reddy of Peoples’ Poly Clinic of Nellore also inspired them, they said. That clinic rendered services un-interruptedly even though nine out of 60 doctors and 27 of the 500 paramedical staff tested positive for Covid-19.

So far (up to December 15) 201 Covid positive patients received medical aid from the centre. One hundred and ninety patients were discharged and 11 are presently getting services at the centre now. Every patient is checked four times a day and nutritious food is served timely as per schedule.  A 24 hour medical aid and counselling for the needy to overcome depression is the speciality of this centre. Initially, it was planned to confine the services to the cadres of Party, mass organisations and well-wishers. But after knowing about the services journalists from Andhra Jyothy, Visalandhra and Prajasakti got admitted to the centre and got treated. Cadres of CPI and CPI(ML-New democracy) also received the services from this centre. Few state committee members, whole timers of CPI(M) and their family members were admitted to this centre and all of them recovered. Though we started it as a free service, people who received treatment voluntarily paid amounts according to their capacity. They are fully satisfied and praised the services of the centre.  Many well-wishers after knowing about the centre donated cash and material. So far, the centre is self-sufficient in respect of funds. This centre will continue for some more time. Doctors, nursing staff and others involved in conducting this centre have been serving with enthusiasm, zeal and dedication.