Requirement of a positive test for the COVID-19 virus is not mandatory for admission to a COVID-19 health facility and no patient will be refused services on any count, the Health Ministry said on Saturday, announcing the revised national policy for admission to various categories of COVID-19 facilities.
This patient-centric measure aims to ensure prompt, effective and comprehensive treatment of patients suffering from COVID-19, said the Ministry.
“The revised guidelines covers medications such as oxygen or essential drugs even if the patient belongs to a different city,” added the release.
The revised guidelines noted that no patient shall be refused admission on the ground that he/she was not able to produce a valid identity card establishing they belonged 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,” added the Ministry.
The Ministry has advised Chief Secretaries of States/Union Territories to issue necessary orders and circulars, incorporating the new directions within three days, which shall be enforced till replaced by an appropriate uniform policy.
The latest directive applies to all States and UTs, hospitals under the Central government, State governments and UT administrations, including private hospitals in States and UTs managing COVID-19 patients.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Saturday chaired the 25th meeting of the high-level Group of Ministers (GoM) on COVID-19 and reiterated the importance of full protection through two COVID-19 vaccine doses.
He appealed to all citizens to get the second dose, which boosts the immunity against COVID-19 manifold, and requested the States to set aside 70% of the vaccines received through the Central government channel for administration of the second dose.
