In the battle with Covid-19 and cancer at United Hospital, patient is the winner

What can we do when our patients are part of a vulnerable population-- suffering from cancer and battling an outbreak of a new strain of virus which is also affecting Bangladesh?

Cancer patients are prone to many challenges and this pandemic made it even more difficult, increasing their susceptibility to life-threatening infections, at the same time, causing interruption of their cancer care. Several studies have shown that, delays in cancer diagnosis and delays and interruption of cancer treatment result in significantly poorer outcomes, due to which like many cancer hospitals in various parts of the world, United Hospital has also modified its care policies for creation of safe hospital environments for cancer patients.

United Hospital Cancer Care Centre is the leading cancer care centre in Bangladesh, providing care and cure that's second to none, to a large number of patients. At United Hospital Cancer Care Centre, we decided to further our commitment to our patients and waged a war on two fronts; one against COVID-19 and one against cancer. We revisited our standard operating protocols and adopted several new safety measures to safeguard our patients so that they could continue their diagnosis and treatment uninterrupted.

As early as April 2020, we introduced social distancing practices on the floors to help everyone maintain distance, temperature screening and triaging for anyone who entered the building, frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces, and compulsory use of masks and sanitizers. We also augmented COVID-19 testing with a rapid turnaround time for all patients having any procedures including surgery. We were also ready with expert screening and care for suspected patients. A COVID Management Committee was established in the hospital to elaborate and implement best practices to assist patients, more so applicable for cancer patients. While precaution in the hospital became standard practice, online consultations and virtual patient visits (telemedicine) became the new norm. Safe was the operative word - safe diagnostics, safe surgeries, safe radiation therapies and safe chemotherapies were put into practice. Patients were triaged based on the type of cancer and the urgency of the treatment and designated pre-screening areas, holding zones, and waiting areas were earmarked to ensure that patients receiving services are safe. Robust communications were done through zoom sessions addressing different cluster of patient groups and corporate clients, disseminating information about COVID-safe practice at United Hospital to bring about confidence amidst patients to come to hospitals for their immediate needs.

Once the lockdown was lifted and transport opened up, patients from all over the capital city and other districts started pouring in for their much-needed treatment. Once patients' confidence level opened up patients began to come in for their consultations, follow-ups, therapies, investigations and others. As many services were halted in other centres because of pandemic and also staff scarcity, all these patients opted for United Hospital Cancer Care Centre as its service was un-interrupted, throughout. Caregivers here, worked very hard day and night to cope with the increased flow of patients, while battling COVID-19 restrictions and adopting the new norm at the same time. All our Oncology team members worked extra hours, we did not want to let down our patients and we did not shut down for a single day.

The battle seemed endless and the enemy seemed invincible but our teams rose above tentativeness and became warriors of steel. Sheer determination, bravery and Almighty's grace became best friends. Over the past ten months from March 2020 till January 2021, United Hospital Cancer Care Centre has completed 5600 OPD consultations, 550 tele-consultation (telemedicine) 1800 chemotherapy daycare admissions, 18000 radiation therapies, 475 Brachy therapies, and 1000 PET CT scans; these numbers are exemplary considering the tough situation that the patients were going through amidst a pandemic and also the hospital facing challenges of staff shortage.

"In-patient wards were re-engineered for separate access, isolation and safe ventilation. Separate ICUs with physical barriers were established. Emergency rooms were modified to receive patients who are under suspicion of COVID and triage them. Quick diagnosis for COVID was fully established; PCR criteria and CT scan criteria began to segregate the sick and very sick patients" says Dr Shagufa Anwar, Director Communication and Business Development of United Hospital.

Care was delivered with the highest standards amidst all constraints. The expertise and dedication of each team member came to the forefront as we continued the fight till we helped the patients see the light at the end of the tunnel at United Hospital Cancer Centre. A possible co-existence with the pandemic is now more realistic than before. COVID-19 vaccines are now being offered by the government to all healthcare staff and also to general people through registration under different criteria. After a brave fight with COVID, with several injuries and challenges overcome, our smile is back. We are now sure that we will win this war on both fronts - cancer and COVID-19. And more importantly, we will make our patients win.