‘Mandatory for govt and private hospitals to update bed status on real-time basis’
BENGALURU:
Following allegations of rampant irregularities in Covid bed allotment in Bengaluru, the state’s Covid Task Force head, Deputy Chief Minister Dr CN Ashwath Narayan, has said the culprits will be booked under the Goonda Act.
Speaking to reporters after a task force meeting on Tuesday, Narayan emphasized that those who indulge in profiteering with regard to Covid bed allotment will be arrested under the Goonda Act.
Read Here: Bed-for-bucks scam: Covid beds blocked and booked in 25 seconds in Bengaluru! https://thebengalurulive.com/bed-for-bucks-scam-covid-beds-blocked-and-booked-in-25-seconds-in-bengaluru/
Public can call cops
Members of the public can call the police control helpline 112 and complain about such malpractices. The DyCM said extortion of money from Covid patients would not be tolerated. “Nodal officers from the police department will be deployed to look into such issues,” he added.
Blocking of beds will not be allowed and it will be mandatory for both government and private hospitals to update the status of bed allotment in the SAST portal on a real-time basis, he said.
Officials have been directed to strengthen helpline 1912 (Bescom helpline with Covid-related calls redirected to BBMP), automate bed allotment and create an Integrated Index App within 2 days in an effort to streamline Covid management, Narayan said.
