HEALTHCARE ESTABLISHMENTS AND PERSONNELS Policy Change IN VIEW OF CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK

Date: 22^nd March 2020

To,

Shri Narender Modi

Hon’ble Prime Minister of India

Prime Minister’s Office

E Block, Central Secretariat

New Delhi – 110001

SUBJECT:  IMMEDIATE POLICY / RULE / ORDER REQUIRED FOR HEALTHCARE ESTABLISHMENTS AND PERSONNELS IN VIEW OF CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK

Respected Sir,

During this coronavirus outbreak, the one industry which is working day and night without even thinking about their lives and safety is healthcare industry. All healthcare establishments and personnel at all levels both in private as well as in public sector belonging to all systems of medicines are working day and night to help people from getting affected by this deadly disease coronavirus.

On 22^nd March 2020 both the Central and State Government have decided to completely shutdown 75 districts across the country where the coronavirus cases have been reported. Also, interstate buses are cancelled. Railways and airlines have been cancelled. Many public transports have been cancelled.

During this period, there is a possibility that people suffering from other medical ailments may not be able to get immediate and proper medical treatment.

Also, if the disease burden increases non-specialist may be required to treat respiratory illnesses and other ailments also.

Many patients may reach the hospitals late in view of this curfew and lockdown or may not be able to even reach any hospital or healthcare establishment.

Thus, this lockdown and curfew can lead to many medical complications which are caused not because of any healthcare negligence or fault.

So, it important for the government to pass immediate and stringent orders and policies for healthcare establishment and personnel’s during this period saying that:

i.              Any action done by any healthcare establishment, doctors  and personnel shall not amount to medical negligence during this coronavirus period.

ii.            Doctors and other health care providers should be given food in the hotel and should not be allowed to be brought from home

iii.           Doctors have been covered free treatment if they get infected, same should be for their families if they get infected in turn.

iv.           Nurses and paramedical staff should be given limited/ restricted prescription powers, so that they don’t wait for the doctor for the prescription

v.             Telephonic and online consultation should be encouraged

vi.           Pharmacies should be allowed to dispense OTC drugs even without prescription

vii.         Doctors coming from other countries may be allowed to work under government supervision during this time without passing any exam if the shortage arises.

viii.        Final MBBS students may be utilised in the clinical work

ix.           Like ai air lines, doctors working in COVID hospitals may be given a single room place a to stay on a near by hotel taken over by the administration. The family may like them to stay away during the time of crisis.

x.             OTC drugs should be allowed to be prescribed by all

xi.           Off label drugs should be encouraged and medical professionals should be allowed to write off label drugs

xii.         Central law should be passed for protection of healthcare establishment and health care personnel from violence and physical assault.

xiii.       Virtual Covid ICUs should be made with only 20-30-year-old young doctors and nurses managing them

xiv.        Senior doctors should manage only virtually

xv.          Infected people with mild illness and no oxygen dependence should not occupy any bed

xvi.        Elderly and high-risk people with mild infection should not be in any hospital environment

xvii.      Healthcare industry should be exempted from Consumer Protection Act.

xviii.    All dead bodies should be cremated with full respect and dignity

xix.        Compensation should be paid to the family of the deceased coronavirus patient pan India.

xx.         Healthcare establishment which are closed due to lockdown and curfew should be compensated

xxi.        The safai karamchari of healthcare industry should be applauded and appreciated for their work and they should be rewarded

xxii.      Necessary security arrangements may be intensified during the lock down period in the medical establishments.

xxiii.    Non invasive ventilators and tele SPO2 monitors should be made available everywhere.

Please pass necessary orders, policies and rules immediately.

Thanking You,

Yours truly,

Dr KK Aggarwal

Padma Shri Awardee

President Confederation of Medical Associations of Asia and Oceania

Past National President Indian Medical Association

National President Heart Care Foundation of India

Copy to        Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad

Hon’ble Minister of Ministry of Law & Justice

3rd Floor, 'C' Wing, Lok Nayak Bhawan,

Khan Market, New Delhi - 110003.

Phone: 011-24698655

E-mail: prao-law@nic.in