Novel approach devised for managing health system during pandemics - Almaty City Health Department
Preparing Almaty for a Second Wave of COVID-19: Key Measures Unveiled
It's clear that the situation in Almaty, as overseen by the Public Health Department's head, Kamaljan Nadyrov, is currently stable—thanks to a robust COVID-19 response headquarters—according to Almaty.tv's latest report. As of now, the city's dealt with 14,328 cases, recorded 3 new cases in 24 hours, and seen a whopping 97.5% recovery rate, meaning 13,941 individuals have so far recovered from the virus. The downside? A grim 270 fatalities.
Nadyrov emphasized that Almaty has unleashed a comprehensive set of strategic measures to manage the ongoing pandemic. Chief among these is an innovative healthcare system management model. At present, the city boasts 27 COVID clinics, totalling 6,211 beds and 250 ICU units. Currently, 17 clinics are in operation, ready to serve a reserve of 4,288 patients should the need arise.
By October 1st, when a new hospital with 500 beds and a modern 300-bed modular clinic are set to open in Turkistan and other locations, the capacity of COVID hospitals in the city will surge to an impressive 7,226 beds! During the lull in the epidemic, these clinics won't be left idle—they'll stay operational, offering essential medical assistance to the local population, addressing various medical needs.
"We've bolstered the number of infectious beds nearly twofold in the last three months," Nadyrov shared, "Ensuring our clinics are well-equipped to adapt to the situation as needed."
In addition to boosting hospital capacity, Almaty's tackling the pandemic head-on by improving the algorithm used for providing urgent medical care to patients grappling with COVID-19, ALRI, and community-acquired pneumonia. Here's the shift: ambulance services are now the sole means for hospitalizing these affected individuals, with self-referral hospitalizations off the table. This streamlined approach allows for the ordered organization of hospitalization in infectious wards.
During a home visit, the rapid response team now gauges a patient's severity level using a tailor-made checklist. If needed, the patient is then transported to the hospital, undergoing a CT scan en route to the hospital. Once there, they receive a PCR test, and all services are offered at no cost, under the State Guaranteed Basic Medical Package.
K. Nadyrarov's focus has also been on addressing the forming of a reserve and preparing staff to work in COVID-19 conditions. Over 1000 workers currently spearhead the fight against COVID-19, including doctors, healthcare staff, and support personnel. At the height of the outbreak, a staggering 4,500 medical workers battled the virus. The city's already established a reserve of 2,515 healthcare workers, ready to step up if necessary.
Keep an eye on Almaty's progress as the city braces for a potential second wave, armed and prepared to take on the challenges head first.
- As Almaty readies for a potential second wave of COVID-19, the city is also addressing other health concerns, integrating mental health services and exploring the therapeutic benefits of CBD in managing chronic diseases and medical conditions.
- In light of the ongoing pandemic, there's a growing emphasis on health and wellness, prompting an collaboration between science and medical research to develop innovative treatments and strategies, such as harnessing the potential of CBD to aid in mental health therapy.
- Simultaneously, Almaty's Public Health Department is aligning its response to the pandemic with holistic well-being, coordinating efforts to safeguard the health of recovery patients from chronic diseases, ensuring they have access to necessary medical care and medicines for ongoing management.
