Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar
Dr Sudhakar says strict action will be taken against hospitals which overcharge
BENGALURU:
So far only government hospitals have been used for Covid-19 treatment, but going forward private hospitals will be roped in, said Medical Education Minister Dr.Sudhakar on Monday. He warned of strict action against private hospitals which refuse to admit corona patients.
The minister was addressing the media after a Covid-19 review meeting convened by Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa. On the issue of PPE kits, he said only MDA and CE-aproved PPE kits were being purchased and people need not worry about the quality of the kits. The minister said he has been visiting all the districts to monitor the situation.
The cost of testing and treatment in private hospitals will be fixed by the government, Dr.Sudhakar said, and warned of strict action against hospitals which charge exorbitant prices.
Insurance cover
The minister said he would discuss with the Union Health Ministry the issue of bringing Covid treatment in private hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat insurance scheme.
According to WHO, wearing masks can reduce the spread of infection by 90 per cent. Hence everyone must wear a mask, he urged.
‘Media has key role’
Dr Sudhakar appealed to the media to raise awareness and calm anxieties among the public through the dissemination of facts. Giving out figures, he said Bengaluru has reported 607 cases so far and 330 of them are active. Only 6 are in ICUs while 93 per cent are asymptomatic. The coronavirus is not as dangerous as SARS and the mortality rate in Karnataka is just 1.2 per cent while it is 2.8 per cent for all of India.
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