Covid positive test not mandatory for hospital admission
By TIOL News Service
NEW DELHI, MAY 08, 2021: IN a dramatic shift, the Health Ministry on Saturday issued directives revising the national policy for hospital admission of COVID-19 patients, doing away with the requirement of a positive test. This patient-centric measure will stop hospitals from refusing admission to critical patients based on the non-availability of Covid test reports.
As per the Centre's directive to all States and Union Territories (UTs), public and private hospitals may admit suspected cases to the suspect ward of Covid Care Center (CCC), Dedicated Covid Health Centre (DCHC) or Dedicated Covid Hospital (DHC).
"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," said the Health Ministry. "No patient shall be refused admission on the ground that they are not able to produce a valid identity card that does not belong to the city where the hospital is located."
However, admissions to hospital must be based on "need" and it should be ensured that beds are not occupied by persons who do not need hospitalisation. Further, the discharge will be strictly in accordance with the revised policy.
The Chief Secretaries of States and UTs have been given three days to issue directives and circulars enforcing the policy.
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