Will cancel licence of Nursing Homes that dump COVID-19 patients near GMCH: Pijush Hazarika

Guwahati: Assam Minister of State Health and Family Welfare, Pijush Hazarika, today said that the private nursing homes which dump COVID-19 positive patients in front of the Government-run Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), will have their licences revoked.

"We have seen in the past 3 days, that the private hospitals are dumping patients in front of the GMCH. Now, I will pay a visit to these hospitals and will visit the nearest police station at Bhangagarh and ensure that strict action is being taken by them", the Minister said. He further opined that the patients who cannot afford treatment at the lush private hospitals are the ones being unceremoniously dumped in front of the Government hospital, and appealed them to immediately end this practice.

Hazarika said that the Government is ready to admit patients who cannot afford treatment, provided the Government hospitals have beds available. "However, without permission from our side, without concurrence, they cannot dump people like this -- they have to respect the patients", Hazarika fumed.

"Nursing homes are doing wrong. After testing the patients, they are supposed to send the patients to us through the district administration. However, most of them do not send numbers or any proper address. All the nursing homes – big or small – must provide proper addresses", Hazarika said.

"Efforts are on from our side to administer the best treatment available. We have arranged Remdesivir, and have also made provisions for plasma treatment. The situation is very grim. Thus, we have to be careful and control ourselves if COVID-19 is to be brought under control.

Hazarika also said that the Government is considering allowing asymptomatic carriers to undergo home quarantine, considering they have single rooms and single rooms. "Our duty will be to inform the neighbours", Hazarika added, further informing that the rapid testing antigen tests conducted yesterday had yielded 18% positive results yesterday.

Also Watch: NewsMakers: Dr Satyakam Phukan in conversation with Oineetom Ojah