Telangana: Lockdown extended till May 30

Hyderabad: Telangana Government on Tuesday announced that the lockdown has been extended till May 30. While the guidelines remain unchanged. The decision was taken after cabinet ministers second the proposal to extend the lockdown.

The Cabinet meeting which is scheduled to be held on May 20 to review lockdown and take a decision on its extension also stands cancelled.

Meanwhile, Following a surge in COVID-19 cases in the state, Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao has decided to join the Central government's Ayushman Bharath Scheme. The state medical and health department has signed an MoU with the National Health Authority and finalized the guidelines for the implementation of the scheme in the state.

KCR has instructed all officials concerned to extend medical services in tune with the guidelines. Principal secretary (medical and health) S.A.M Rizvi and Aarogyasri Health Care Trust CEO issued the orders accordingly.

It may be recalled that KCR has opposed Ayushman Bharath Scheme by saying that the state already has Arogyasri Scheme. Also, during the GHMC election, Central ministers had questioned the state's decision to not join the Ayushman Bharath scheme.

Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar on May 18th held a meeting with AYUSH Doctors on providing supplementary medication to treat black fungus disease. He said, "Government is taking all the necessary steps to tackle black fungus disease in the state. Presently, the treatment is being taken up at Gandhi Hospital and Govt. ENT King Koti.

Ayush doctors briefed Chief Secretary on the treatment protocols available in Ayurvedic, Homeopathi and Unani System of medicine. They informed that Prophylactic Treatment for the black fungus will be given at Ayurvedic Hospital at Erragadda, Homeopathi Hospital at Ramanthapur and Unani Hospitals at Charminar and Erragadda.