Prior tie-up with hospitals mandatory for COVID patients entering Telangana
Telangana government on Thursday said COVID patients from neighboring states will be allowed to enter the state only when they have a prior tie-up with local hospitals.
By Newsmeter Network Published on 14 May 2021 3:24 AM GMT
Hyderabad: Telangana government on Thursday said COVID patients from neighboring states will be allowed to enter the state only when they have a prior tie-up with local hospitals.
The government invoked the provisions of Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 and Disaster Management Act, 2005 to support its decision. Later Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar communicated the decision to his counterparts of neighboring states.
Under new guidelines, the hospital concerned will have to inform the control room in Telangana after receiving a request from the patients. When the control room issues authorization, the patient can enter Telangana for hospitalization.
Referring to several people rushing to the city for hospitalization without prior tie-up, the Chief Secretary said such patients would not only lose precious time in moving from one hospital to another but will potentially spread the infection.
Somesh Kumar's communication to his counterparts comes after the High Court described stopping ambulances at the state's borders as inhuman and against the constitution. The court gave a clear direction not to stop ambulances at the border.
The Chief Secretary, however, came up with a procedure according to which the hospital should apply in the prescribed format. They shall have to furnish information including the name of the patient, age, attendant's name, mobile number, and type of bed reserved and care required.
They should send these details to the control room with phone number 040- 24651119, WhatsApp to 9494438251 and email to idsp@telangana.gov.in.
On receiving the details, the control room will issue authorization based on which the patient can come to Telangana state for hospitalization. The Chief Secretary asked the neighboring states' to give wide publicity of the arrangement for the benefit of people.
