Coronavirus: Non-essential surgeries put on hold in Indian hospitals
By Newsmeter Network Published on 20 March 2020 10:03 AM GMT
Hyderabad: Government of India on Friday postponed non-essential elective surgeries and restricted the new admissions in the hospitals in a bid to tackle the deadly coronavirus pandemic.
The government also announced free of cost treatment to any medical personnel who pick up an infection while treating the patients.
On Friday, the central government issued the advisory listing dos and do donts for all the hospitals and medical education institutions.
“Non-essential elective surgeries should be postponed. Some beds should be set apart and prepared for creating isolation facilities in every public and private hospital. All the doctors, nurses and support staff in different specialities, including pre and para clinical departments, should be mobilized and trained in infection prevention and control practices”, the advisory said.
The advisory noted that hospitals may ensure that stage patients are discharged as early as possible while further new admissions (of stable patients) are also restricted. The patient attendants should be restricted to one only.
The government has also announced postponing non-essential audits of hospitals by various regulators and accreditation agencies.
“All hospitals should provide treatment, free of cost to any medical personnel who pick up an infection while treating patients. No suspected Covid-19 patients should be turned away from any hospital and the admission of any such patient should be notified to NCDC or IDSP immediately. Similarly, all pneumonia patients must also be notified to NCDC or IDSP. Hospitals should ensure social distancing in their premises", it said.
The advisory has come on the day when the COVID 19 positive cases in India has crossed 200. Five people have died due to the coronavirus infection in India so far.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called for 'Janta Curfew' from 7 am to 9 pm on Sunday. Prime Minister requested all the citizens not to come out of their houses unless necessary.
