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An interview with Dr. Madhu Khullar (Ex-Director Health Services of Jammu)
An interview about her experience of giving her hospital as a quarantine zone for Covid19 patients.
Dr. Madhu Khullar, Ex-Director Health Services Jammu, had been serving the public in the Health Services department of Jammu for over 40 years, when she retired and established City Hospital in District Jammu in 2001.
She has served in government hospital Gandhi Nagar, District Hospital Kathua, Allopathic Dispensary Chatha, Goverment Medical College Jammu, SMGS Hospital, Police Hospital Jammu and Goverment Hospital Sarwal.
Known as an able administrator, Dr. Khullar has also remained Principal of Institute of Health and Family Welfare, Nagrota and AMT School, Bakshi Nagar and medical superintendent of various hospitals besides being CMO Sambha and Dy. CMO Jammu.
She has to her credit of having assisted in implementation of national programs/schemes and in conduct of various worshops and administrative/academic activities.
Dr. Madhu Khullar has been instrumental in the development and implementation of health systems in the state of Jammu and has graced us with her presence, for an interview on the topic of ‘Tier III perspectives of the health systems in the times of pandemic’.
An excerpt from the phone interview:
Sonal Chadha, Senior Editor, Impact[X]: Hello Dr. Khullar, welcome to Impact[X], thank you for giving us the permission to take an interview today in these trying times.
Dr. Madhu Khullar: Pleasure to be here.
Sonal Chadha: I would like to jump straight to the Q and A section respecting the limit on time we have, what has been the effect of Covid19 on patient inflow to your Hospital?
Dr. Khullar: Overall the general patient inflow has reduced. However, for all emergencies the doctors are on call available 24 hours 7 days a week.
Sonal Chadha: What has been your HR strategy during this period?
Dr. Khullar: I have 12 employees in total, all of them have been retained, the doctors are available on call, we are paying full salaries to all our employees.
Sonal Chadha: What has been the experience of your hospital during quarantine?
Dr. Khullar: Currently, my hospital is under supervision of DG Police and his 6 – 8 health workers. We are supporting them in maintaining the faculties and equipment while the team delivers essential services to the patients.
Sonal Chadha: Are your employees working with them?
Dr. Khullar: Yes, we have contributed to their efforts further by assigning Two sweepers and Three pharmacists at City Hospital.
Sonal Chadha: Most of the patients affected by Covid19 are in which age group and income levels?
Dr. Khullar: People who have travelled abroad especially those who have just returned from Haj. People aged 60 and above are mostly affected.
Sonal Chadha: Is there availability of masks, ventilators, PPE equipment with you? Or the government is providing?
Dr. Khullar: At present we have sufficient masks and general equipment required for this pandemic. We also have the facility of ventilator. However, government is providing us with PPEs and making sure that equipment required is sufficient.
Sonal Chadha: What bottlenecks did you face in getting the rights to make your hospital a Quarantine zone?
Dr. Khullar: There were no bottlenecks, I volunteered for this and the process was smooth and without any hitches.
Sonal Chadha: What support has the government given you for fighting Coronavirus pandemic?
Dr. Khullar: The government is showing full support in fighting against this pandemic situation. All the necessary precautions are being taken.
Sonal Chadha: Are you able to meet your operational expenses during the Corona?
Dr. Khullar: Yes as we have volunteered to take over all the expenses of our facilities and operations and the salaries of their Health workers as well. This is complementry from my side, for the people.
Sonal Chadha: Is your hospital closed for hospital closed for private practice?
Dr. Khullar: Yes, only for emergency cases we visit the hospital.
Sonal Chadha: Post corona. What are the health and safety measures that you will be following?
Dr. Khullar: Fumigation of the entire premises, minimum once and maximum 3 times in a month. Use of surface disinfectants as mentioned in the guidelines for protection against the virus by CDC (Centre of Disease Control and Contamination)
Sonal Chadha: You like to advise other hospitals of your size across the nation in tackling the Corona virus?
Dr. Khullar: I would request all the private hospitals to close their working to limit the number of active cases. Fumigation after opening is a must. Overall stay positive collaborating with the government’s efforts is the best thing one can do.
Sonal Chadha: Thanks ma’am, it was a pleasure to talking to you. Thanks for sharing such valuable insights.
Commendable and noble service to humanity. As always Dr Khullar’s involvement and dedication to social service is well known and appreciable by everybody. May the Almighty bless her for the untiring service with more energy and diligence.