“Treat patient without asking for COVID tests,” Assam Govt. issues directive to hospitals, medical officers

Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Assam has issued a new directive to the medical officers and institutions across the state.

The department noted that during the first two waves of COVID, many cases have been reported where patients coming up at different hospitals for emergency non-COVID purposes were either deprived of treatment or there was a delay in providing treatment due to insistence on prior COVID report. A few cases have also been filed in Human Rights Commission by some people on account of this issue.

The COVID cases have again started rising in the country as well as in the state and therefore, it is expected that during the peak in COVID cases, many general emergency cases shall report to hospitals for treatment. Such emergency treatment is not provided to these patients in time by insisting on prior COVID report, many patients may lose their lives.

“In order to prevent any such unfortunate incident, it is hereby directed that in case any general patient reports with the medical emergency for treatment of any disease, he/she should be provided immediate medical treatment by the Medical Officers and Para Medical staff on duty without insisting on prior COVID test report or waiting for any such test results. In such cases, the Medical Officer and other Para Medical personnel should use all protective gear like PPE Kit, N-95 masks, Gloves etc. for protection. This will help us to save many precious lives by providing medical help at the appropriate time,” states the directive issued by Anurag Goel, Principal Secretary to the Govt. of Assam, Health & Family Welfare Department.

“Further, Joint Directors are also directed to issue necessary instructions to all public and private hospitals within their jurisdiction to follow this protocol strictly,” adds Goel’s directive.

The Principal cum Chief Superintendent of Medical Colleges are also directed to ensure that these instructions are followed in their respective Medical Colleges and Hospitals to rescue the emergency patients.