Strict action will be taken against pvt hospitals not helping govt in fight against COVID-19: Karnataka Minister

Karnataka Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar on Thursday warned that strict action would be taken against private hospitals which are not joining hands with the government in the fight against Covid-19, as he cited complaints on excess amount being charged and refusing treatment among others.

The minister also said the government was focusing on ramping up testing in the coming days.

Sudhakar today held a video conference with senior officials to review COVID preparedness in Bengaluru city.

Several instances of private hospitals charging excess amount from patients and refusing treatment are being reported.

Joint commissioners of all zones (in Bengaluru) are empowered under Disaster Management Act and KPME Act to take action against such hospitals, Sudhakar was quoted as saying by his office in a release.

The Joint Commissioners can seek assistance from the police department if needed, he said.

According to the release,the government is taking all measures to ramp up testing in the city, and this will enable faster tracing and treatment of the infected persons.

Among the other points of discussion or decisions taken during the video conference with the minister include government to utilize final year science students and MBBS students for testing to fulfill the manpower requirement.

"Students who are involved in Covid duties will be accorded grace marks in internals," it said.

It was also decided that the booth level task force committees to be finalized within 2-3 days, zonal in-charge officers will ensure testing targets are achieved as per the guidelines set and daily reports to be submitted to the in-charge officer, senior citizens with Influenza Like Illness and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection symptoms to be traced and reverse isolated.

As of July 30 evening, cumulatively 1,18,632 COVID- 19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state, which includes 2,230 deaths and 46,694 discharges.

Bengaluru urban district tops the list of positive cases, with a total of 53,324 infections.

Image Credits: PTI