Addl CS: Hosps can’t deny treatment to any patient

Ludhiana: Hospitals cannot deny entry to any patient, including Covid-19 suspects. And, they cannot keep patients waiting for treatment on the pretext of waiting for novel coronavirus test report, said Punjab additional chief secretary, health and family welfare, Anurag Aggarwal.
After a 50-year-old businessman of the city, who was Covid-19 positive, died on July 24, his family had alleged that Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) did not give him proper treatment.
His son said, “On July 23, my father was tested for Civid-19. The next day, he complained of respiratory problems and we took him to DMCH. He requested the hospital authorities to admit him, but they refused as the test report was awaited. After repeated requests, he was put on oxygen support, but still he was unable to breath. After his report came positive around 4pm, the hospital refused to admit him, saying they don’t have a bed.”
“I called up several prominent private hospitals of the city, but everyone said they did not have beds. Eventually, I had to take my father to civil hospital, where he died,” he added.
Chief medical officer Rajesh Bagga said, “A notice was issued to DMCH. In its reply, it said they had no bed to accommodate the Covid-19 positive patient. The test report came late and till the time they had accommodated the patient in the flu corner and put him on oxygen support. As soon as his test report came positive, they asked his kin to take him to civil hospital due to unavailability of a bed. A committee is being formed to take the final decision on this.”
While speaking with the TOI on phone, Aggarwal said, “No hospital can deny entry or treatment to any patient on the pretext of awaited corona test report. If the patient is symptomatic, the hospital must admit him/her and start treatment so that the life can be saved. Also, people don’t necessarily have to go to civil hospital first, they can go to any hospital for treatment.”
On the allegations of the kin of the deceased against DMCH, Aggarwal said, “I am aware of the case. We are checking the matter. Moreover, I don’t think there is any shortage of beds in DMCH.”
“We are appointing nodal officers in five districts of Punjab, including Ludhiana, to manage and keep a check on the facilities and arrangements at private hospitals” he added.
On releasing a complaint redressal number for such cases, he said Covid-19 helpline numbers are already there and that officials can be approached on these.
“I request people to get themselves tested as soon as they find a symptom. Usually it is seen that people are reluctant to get themselves tested unless their condition gets serious.” Aggarwal said.