The Indian government on Saturday directed all hospitals to admit suspected Covid patients without any positive test report and give them adequate medical care.
The Union health ministry revised the policy for admission of Covid-19 patients to various categories of facilities for them even as a second wave of the deadly infection raged. The government also directed all hospitals that they should not refuse any service to a patient which includes oxygen and other essential medication.
The new guidelines will be applicable in all hospitals under the Centre, state governments/Union Territory administrations as well as private hospitals managing such patients.
Detailed Guidelines:
- The requirement of a positive test for the Covid-19 virus is not mandatory for admission to a Covid health facility. A suspect case shall be admitted to the suspect ward of Covid Care Centres, Dedicated Covid Health Centres or DHC as the case may be.
- No patient will be refused services on any count. This includes medications such as oxygen or essential drugs even if the patient belongs to a different city.
- No patient shall be refused admission on the ground that he/she is not able to produce a valid identity card that does not belong to the city where the hospital is located.
- Admissions to hospitals must be based on need. It should be ensured that beds are not occupied by persons who do not need hospitalisation.
