CEO of the Petroleum Industry Health Organization (PIHO) Habibollah Samie has laid emphasis on applying tough restrictions at workplaces against the coronavirus pandemic.
“Necessary measures must be undertaken for the return of restrictions to workplaces in a bid to mitigate the consequences of the third wave of [covid-19] which is more infectious than before,” he said.
Samie said the third wave of covid-19 occurred much sooner than thought.
Referring to the critical conditions prevailing in Tehran, he said: “The data announced from time to time by the coronavirus combat task force has already occurred on a smaller scale at the Ministry of Petroleum and the healthcare centers affiliated with the petroleum industry. The number of patients hospitalized for coronavirus at PIHO hospital in Tehran has been on the rise. In a single day, more than 20 cases were hospitalized.”
Samie said: “Currently, the total number of covid+ patients hospitalized in the clinics and healthcare centers affiliated with the petroleum industry stands at 100, 50 of whom are in Tehran’s hospitals.”
He went on to provide some data about the covid+ patients taken to the hospitals affiliated with the petroleum industry since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Iran.
“The data available now shows more than 4,100 cases of hospitalization, 1,350 of whom are locals and non-corporate. More than 3,500 were discharged after their general conditions were diagnosed as satisfactory,” he said.
Samie said 400 had died of covid-19 at the petroleum industry, 150 of whom were non-corporate and local people.
Assaluyeh and Jam PCR
Samie said the PCR section of the Ahvaz Hospital had won the official permit of the Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education.
“Fortunately, Tehran’s PCR center is active and it prepares the results of tests within 24 hours. The Ahvaz PCR center has also won ministerial permit despite access to minimum facilities and thanks to efforts by health professionals. Currently, in addition to taking samples from patients, it conducts tests outside the hospital,” he added.
Samie expressed hope that a PCR center would be launched in Assaluyeh in the near future, adding that it would be financed by the Pars Special Economic Energy Zone (PSEEZ).
“PSEEZ has allocated more than IRR 20 billion for launching this center. This sum has been provided and PIHI is laying necessary infrastructure for its inauguration,” he said.
Samie said it would take two months to launch the Assaluyeh PCR center, adding that infrastructure measures were under way. He said medical equipment and other necessary materials would be sourced domestically as much as possible. That may slow the pace of activities, he said.
He expressed happiness about the distribution of 20 ventilators in the hospitals in Aghajari, Gachsaran, Masjed Soleiman, Ahvaz, Abadan and Bushehr.
“Fortunately, thanks to efforts undertaken so far, the second CT Scan was purchased for the PIHO Tehran hospital without going through bidding formalities. I have to note that under the current conditions of hard currency restrictions and ever-growing prices, purchasing medical equipment is extremely tough,” he said.
Periodical Exams
Samie stressed the need for periodic tests for PIHO staff, adding that a diabetic patient would be exposed less than others to covid-19 if such tests are done, adding that in case of contracting the disease, the effects would be mitigated.
He said that one of the important decisions recently taken at the emergency conditions management committee of National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) was to continue periodic exams by PIHO.
“Under such conditions, conducting these tests would largely prevent the spread of covid-19,” he added.
Samie said periodic exams were being done at National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) and National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC).
“PIHO would dispatch groups to workplaces in order to conduct necessary tests. I hope such tests would resume soon for NIOC staff. That would prevent the physical referral of staff to affiliated healthcare centers and hospitals, thereby reducing coronavirus risks,” he said.
Contracts with Mahshahr Petchem Plans Extended
Samie said agreements signed between PIHO and petrochemical plants in Mahshahr were extended after the petrochemical companies settled their debts with PIHO.
“IRR 200 billion was paid from the petrochemical companies’ per capita budget allocation. The remainder, amounting to IRR 500 billion, would be settled by November,” he said.
Samie also announced that agreements had been renewed with petrochemical companies for the second half of the year.
“Currently, healthcare services are offered to the aforesaid population,” he said.
“At the recent meeting of the emergency conditions management committee of NIOC, it was decided that clubs and recreational centers would remain affiliated with the Ministry of Petroleum. Currently, national conditions are not suitable and we should not encourage people to go on trips because it would only stir the current crisis in the country,” he added.
Samie said Khuzestan Province was in acceptable conditions thanks to compliance with health criteria and instructions, calling for efforts to help preserve such conditions.
“Although I know that people are under psychological pressure due to unfavorable conditions, we have no option. We have to respect healthcare protocols and instructions in order to protect our own health. Reopening recreational centers would only increase risks,” he said.