Health department officials in West Midnapore are undertaking an initiative to set up outpatientn facilities at district Covid hospitals, starting with the one in Salboni, to combat what sources are terming a “substantial rate of relapse” for recovered Covid patients in the district.

The move comes in the wake of reports that several patients discharged from the district’s five Covid hospitals were suffering relapses, and in extreme cases dying owing to “lack of proper follow-up”, combined with “lingering stigma” from neighbours and even several private practitioners.

The OPD facility at Salboni is set to commence twice a week starting next week, with officials saying the onus has shifted back to Covid hospitals for follow-up.

“Many patients are being ignored or shunned once discharged owing to lingering stigma. This often works against them when they need proper guidance or follow up,” said chief medical officer Nitai Mondal.

Though Mondal could not give an exact figure, he said deaths had also been reported.

Last week, a health worker from West Midnapore working in a Birbhum hospital was found dead at his residence a few days after being discharged from Covid treatment.

Sources said total cases in West Midnapore on Tuesday stood at 14,115 with 12,637 recoveries, 230 deaths and 1,864 active cases.

Several patients who recovered from Covid reported a relapse of symptoms such as fever and weakness.

“Those who recovered from Covid need to be under medical care for at least two weeks. This helps doctors take prompt calls,” said a doctor attached to a government facility in West Midnapore.

“Patients complain of congestion in the lungs, loss of appetite and weakness shortly after recovering from Covid. These problems need to be addressed fast through follow-ups,” the doctor added.

Speaking on the decision to inaugurate outpatient facilities at Salboni, district officials said it was a Level-IV hospital with intensive care and ventilation facilities as well as a large number of health workers. OPD operations will commence twice a week and will be expanded according to demand.

A Debra resident and highway toll worker who recovered from Covid-19 welcomed this move. “I underwent Covid treatment for two weeks but there was a lot of monitoring needed following my discharge. Unfortunately, doctors in my area would not treat me so I had to make calls to doctors in Salboni,” said the 49-year-old.

“I welcome the district health authorities’ move regarding follow-up treatment for recovered Covid patients,” he added.