Doctor at PHC takes distancing rule a little too far — literally

Doctor at PHC takes distancing rule a little too far — literally

Clip shows him examining boy standing over 2 m away

11/06/2020

A video grab shows the patient separated by a ramp from the doctor.

Special Arrangement

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, doctors and healthcare professionals have been known to take various precautions while checking the vitals of patients visiting them.

But one doctor attached to a primary health centre (PHC) in Kandamangalam, Villupuram district, took the distancing dictum too far — literally.

A video clip of the incident that took place in Kandamangalam went viral on Tuesday.

In the minute-long clip, the doctor, Prakash, is seen using a torch to screen a boy standing at a distance of over 2 m from him.

The boy had visited the PHC with a complaint of sore throat.

The duo are separated by a ramp. Poonjolai, a multi-purpose health worker, is seen asking the boy if he is experiencing pain in his throat.

The doctor then prescribes medicines on a small piece of paper and hands it over to Poonjolai, who in turn gives it to the boy. The health worker is then seen asking the boy to collect medicines from a counter on the premises.

Explanation sought

A senior official in the Health Department said that the doctor’s act of formally using a torchlight to screen the patient from a considerable distance was wrong.

The Department has sought an explanation from the doctor and the health workers, and action will be initiated based on their reply, he