Do not deny treatment to COVID-19 patients, Kerala Minister tells hospitals

9,704 fresh cases recorded in Ernakulam

Health Minister Veena George has said that action will be taken under the Kerala Epidemic Diseases Ordinance if hospitals denies treatment to COVID-19 patients. She was participating in an online meeting with Industries Minister P. Rajeeve, who is in charge of overseeing the COVID-19 situation in the district.

Instructions have been issued to private hospitals to set aside 50% of beds for COVID patients. The Health Minister said 497 more appointments would be made in the health sector in the district on an emergency basis. Of these, 429 will be in hospitals and 68 in laboratories. A Public Service Commission list is also ready for filling 13 vacancies of junior health inspectors in the district, the Minister added. She also directed hospitals to ensure availability of medicines. Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan, Thomas Chazhikkadan, MP, Mayor M. Anilkumar, and MLAs K. Babu, Anoop Jacob, Eldhos Kunnappillil, Roji M. John, Anwar Sadat, K.J. Maxy, Antony John, P.V. Sreenijin, Mathew Kuzhalnadan, and K.N. Unnikrishnan, and district panchayat president Ullas Thomas were among those who attended the meeting.