Noida may allow more pvt hosps to treat Covid cases

Noida: The Noida administration is considering a proposal to add a few more private hospitals for Covid treatment, at a time the district has seen a sharp spike in the number of positive patients. At present, Noida has only two private healthcare facilities that have been taken over by the district administration for dealing with Covid cases.
The move follows a letter from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) to the chief secretary on Sunday, highlighting “a huge delay” in initiating treatment for Covid patients. A video conference between health department officials and members of the IMA was held to discuss the proposal later.
The suggestion comes at a time a number of private hospitals has been accused of turning away patients showing virus-like symptoms. Owners of these hospitals have claimed they have been asked by the administration to send such patents to designated Covid facilities.
On Sunday, IMA said that four private hospitals had shown interest in treating Covid patients.
“Private hospitals cannot treat positive patients unless the government grants them permission. Four hospitals in the city have told us they want to start Covid treatment, which is why we wrote to the government,” said Mohita Sharma, the IMA general secretary in Noida.
Over the past week alone, Noida has seen 180 Covid cases. IMA officials pointed out in the meeting that patients from other districts had a tough time getting admitted to hospitals in Noida and this delay had proved critical in a number of cases.
As examples, the IMA officials referred to at least half a dozen cases from Khoda — a containment zone — who were denied treatment by hospitals both in Noida and Ghaziabad until intervention by the association. On Friday itself, a pregnant from Khoda died allegedly after being turned away by eight hospitals.
Noida district magistrate Suhas LY said IMA’s proposal was under consideration. “Increasing the number of beds to treat patients is our priority. We are working on the modalities and a health team is evaluating the proposal. A decision will be taken in the next few days.”
Sources said the health team was trying to draw up a mechanism to ensure that hospitals do not end up overcharging patients. Doctors said rates would be provided to patients upfront. “Those who can afford can seek private healthcare. This will help bring down load on the administration-run hospitals,” Sharma said.
Noida has close to 30 hospitals that are equipped to deal with critical cases. The hospitals that have shown interest in providing Covid care have said they will use the entire building, and not just a portion, for providing treatment to positive patients.
“Instead of a portion, the entire building would be turned into a Covid care facility. It will help us check the spread of the virus. Non-Covid patients will not be entertained in such hospitals,” said a senior doctor from Greater Noida-based hospital.