No need to rush to private hospitals, government facilities are the best to treat COVID-19, says Telangana CM

Telangana

From Our Bureau

17TH JULY 2020

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Friday said that there is no need for people to rush to private hospitals as the government facilities are well-equipped to treat COVID-19 cases.

He said that people should not entertain any fear or anxiety over Corona Virus but at the same time they should not be negligent in their behaviour. Those having Corona Virus need not go to the private hospitals and spend huge amounts for the treatment as the required medical treatment for the virus is very much available in the government Hospitals. The government doctors and staff are well equipped to treat any number of patients.

The CM thanked the medical doctors and staff for extending their excellent services to contain the virus spread and offering good treatment to the patients.

He held a review meeting on Friday at Pragathi Bhavan on the measures taken to contain the Corona Virus. Medical and Health Minister Etela Rajender, Panchayat Raj Minister Errabelli Dayakar Rao, Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar, Principal Secretary (Medical and Health) Murtuza Rizvi and Medical and Health Department officials participated.

The CM announced several decisions with regard to Medical and Health Department.

“Corona is present in all the countries in the world and in all the States in the country. Telangana State is not an exception. However, when compared to the national average, the State’s death rate is less. The recovery rate in the State is also much higher” the Chief Minister noted.

As on Thursday, those taking treatment as in-patients in the hospitals were 3,692. Of them, 200 were having other serious ailments and the rest were recovering. As on Thursday, 41, 018 were affected by the Corona Virus in the State. Of this, 27,295 (67 per cent) recovered, discharged and went home.

Among others, 9,636 were asymptomatic and they were under the home quarantine. Others were taking treatment in the hospitals. They were also recovering very fast. Even the asymptomatic patients were also given treatment and advice by reviewing their condition from time to time based on the ICMR recommended COVID Protocol.

“The Unlock process is going on in the country.  The Central government has decided to begin the international air services. We have come to a stage where living with Corona is a must. But none should have any fear about Corona. At the same time, people should not be negligent. They must maintain personal hygiene, wear masks, use sanitizers and remain in their houses as much as possible,” the CM added.

“The Telangana government is well equipped to contain the Virus spread and to give treatment to those affected by the Corona. Initially, the Central government was in a state of confusion at first to face the spread of Virus. But as far as Telangana State is concerned, all the necessary equipment, medicines, tools were gathered. Now there is no shortage of anything,” he said.

In Gandhi Hospital and TIMS, Hyderabad, 3,000 beds are ready with Oxygen supply facilities. All over the State, 5,000 beds are kept ready with the Oxygen supply facility. In all, 10,000 beds are kept ready exclusively for the Corona patients.  Such a number of beds were not there in the past. 1,500 Ventilators are kept ready. PPE Kits and N95 Masks are available in lakhs in numbers.

“There is no shortage of medicines and equipment. Government doctors and staff are rendering a yeoman service. There is no need to react to some who make cheap comments and criticism. We should move forward with self-confidence. The doctor teams should concentrate on giving better treatment effectively,” he pointed out.

“There is no need for the people to rush to private hospitals and spend huge amounts of money and face a lot of hardships. Best treatment is given in the Government Hospitals based on the guidelines issued by the ICMR. In case anyone has symptoms, they should take medical advice and treatment,” he added.

“In our State, right from the PHC level, facilities are created to treat the Corona patients. People should utilise this. The government is ready to spend any amount of money to contain the virus and give treatment to the needy,” he explained.

He announced that Rs 100 Crore is additionally allocated to the general budget to take up urgent measures to contain the virus and to give treatment. This amount will be kept with Medical and Health Minister and Chief Secretary to take the immediate measures necessary.

It is decided to implement UGC scales to the teachers working in medical Colleges. The newly appointed nurses will also get their pay on par with the existing staff. It is also decided to enhance the retirement age for those working in the Ayush department to 65 years.

It is also decided to extend COVID Incentive of 10 per cent additional pay to every one working in the Medical and Health Department without leaving anyone, including the outsourcing employees. It is decided to extend the Incentive allowance given to the Police personnel as well as sanitary workers in the municipalities and panchayats.

The Chief Minister instructed the officers concerned to induct 1,200 doctors who have completed the PG courses into the government service. Also, the vacancies of  200 Doctor in Primary Health Centres would be filled up immediately.

“The government hospitals should keep stocks of injection vials of Remdesivir and Tocilizumab, as well as Favilavir Tablets in large quantities to provide these free of cost to the needy. There should not be any shortage of these medicines at all costs,” the CM said.

“Private hospitals should maintain transparency on the availability of beds. The government will act strictly if artificial shortage is created. All hospitals should display how many beds they have and how many are occupied. They should furnish information to the government from time to time,” he added. (eom)

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