Doctors from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will go door-to-door to conduct a survey to ascertain the number of people with COVID-19 symptoms, those with co-morbidities, and provide health assistance.
The initiative – Palike Vaidyaru Nimma Mane Bagilige (Doctors at your doorstep) – was launched by Revenue Minister R. Ashok, who is also city in-charge, on August 16. In the first phase, the initiative will be launched in 54 wards, two in each Assembly constituency. All 198 wards will be covered in a month, the Minister told reporters after the launch.
Each team will conduct a survey of at least 50 homes every day, while each ward will have five doctors, and more teams will be assigned as needed. Each team will consist of a medical officer and paramedics. Doctors will don a white coat with the name of the initiative printed on it.
If any person is found to be infected by COVID-19, the team will assess their condition and recommend home isolation, or admit them to a COVID-19 Care Centre (CCC), or a hospital.
Doctors have been directed to enter the survey details in the BBMP software every day.
Mr. Ashok said that the objective was to ensure that health facilities are made accessible to all categories of citizens. “There is no need for anxiety. The number of COVID-19 cases has been in the range of 300 and 400 per day. With this initiative, we will be able to control the spread of the pandemic in the city,” he said.
With public health a priority for the government, a meeting will be held with Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai soon to discuss restrictions to be put in place during the festival season that is round the corner.
Stating categorically that there was no question of a lockdown, the Minister said that if cases increase, the government may consider stringent measures, such as night curfew or weekend curfew.
About an expert committee recommending reopening of schools in districts with less than 2% positivity rate, he said that in other countries, schools have begun. “We are treading carefully. Without parents’ consent, we will not open schools. However, this is a decision that will be taken by Health and Education Departments,” he said.
With regard to renaming Indira Canteen as Annapoorneshwari Canteen, Mr. Ashok said, “Though several BJP leaders favour renaming the canteen, we have not held any discussion on this, neither has any decision been taken.”
