IndiaOfficial sources said there was no health departmentorder to hospitals for stopping treatment of general patientsbut people were facing difficulties in coming to thefacilities due to the absence of transport because of thelockdown.
There was also an apprehension that general patientsmight be infected by coronavirus from suspected COVID-19patients who were reaching these hospitals, sources said.
During a video-conference, the chief minister saidcomplete protection norms must be followed in district andsub-divisional hospitals and asked officials to ensure supplyof personal protective equipment, masks and gloves to thesehospitals, according to an official release said.
Principal Secretary Health Sanjay Kumar said there isa plan to start emergency and institutional delivery servicesat the hospitals first, followed by OPD services.
Treatment of general patients should be started atprivate hospitals too, the CM said while giving directions forensuring the availability of ambulance services for all otherpatients apart from coronavirus affected patients.
Stating that facility for COVID testing is currentlyavailable at four places in the state, Kumar said sucharrangement should be made at other places.
Officials should payspecial attention to theavailability of testing kits, PPEs, N-95 mask and ventilators,he said while asserting that funds will not be a problem forbuying medicines and equipment as the state government has setup Coronavirus Eradication Fund to fight against the COVIDtransmission. ARNN NN