New Delhi: In what can be termed as a major decision that would find favour with the people, the Union health ministry on Saturday revised the national policy for admission of COVID patients to various categories of COVID facilities. “This patient-centric measure aims to ensure prompt, effective and comprehensive treatment of patients suffering from COVID-19,” the Centre said in a statement.
The official statement stated that as per the Union Government directive to all States and UTs, hospitals under the Central government, State Governments and Union Territory administration including private hospitals (in States and Union Territories) shall admit the suspect ward of CCC, DCHC or DHC as the case may be.
Also, giving a lot of relief to people, the order states that no patient shall be refused admission on the ground that he/she is not able to produce a valid identity card that does not belong to the city where the hospital is located.
Requirement of a positive test for COVID-19 virus is not mandatory for admission to a COVID health facility. A suspect case shall be admitted to the suspect ward of CCC, DCHC or DHC as the case may be. No patient will be refused services on any count. This includes medications such as oxygen or essential drugs even if the patient belongs to a different city.
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 available at Union Health Ministry has advised the Chief Secretaries of States/Union territories to issue necessary orders and circulars, incorporating the above directions within three days, which shall be enforced till replaced by an appropriate uniform policy,” it added. Moreover, the health ministry also mentioned the guidance document for setting up three-tier health infrastructure for appropriate management of suspect/confirmed COVID-19 cases. It highlighted setting up:
COVID Care Center (CCC) which shall offer care for mild cases. These have been set up in hostels, hotels, schools, stadiums, lodges etc., both public and private. Functional hospitals like CHCs, etc. which may be handling regular, non-COVID cases may also be designated as COVID Care Centres as a last resort.
Dedicated COVID Health Centre (DCHC) that shall offer care for all cases that have been clinically assigned as moderate. These should either be a full hospital or a separate block in a hospital with preferably separate entry/exit/zoning. Private hospitals may also be designated as COVID Dedicated Health Centres. These hospitals would have beds with assured Oxygen support.
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