New Delhi (NVI): Positive test for coronavirus is not mandatory for admission to a COVID health facility at government or private hospitals, the Union Health Ministry said today.
A suspect case shall be admitted to the suspect ward of CCC, DCHC or DHC as the case may be, it said in revised national policy for admission of COVID patients to various categories of COVID facilities.
As per the government directive to all States and UTs, hospitals under the central government, state governments and UTs administration including private hospitals (in States and Union Territories), the requirement of a positive test for COVID-19 virus is not mandatory for admission to a COVID health facility.
“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,” the guideline further read.
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 hospital must be based on need. It should be ensured that beds are not occupied by persons who do not need hospitalization.
Further, the discharge should be strictly in accordance with the revised discharge policy available at https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/ReviseddischargePolicyforCOVID19.pdf, it added.
The chief secretaries of states and union territories have been advised to issue necessary orders and circulars, incorporating the above directions within three days, which shall be enforced till replaced by an appropriate uniform policy.
