COVID Patients Can’t Be Refused Admission For Lack Of Valid ID

New Delhi: All COVID-19 hospitals – under both Centre and state governments — have been directed to ensure that no patient is refused admission for lack of a valid identity (ID) card.

In an affidavit on the points raised by the Supreme Court, the Centre submitted that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has intimated all state governments regarding the policy of setting up three-tier Health infrastructure for appropriate management of suspect/confirmed COVID-19 cases.

It further said that the guidance document issued in this regard on April 7, 2020, envisages/mandates setting up of COVID Care Centre (CCC) for mild cases and these have been set up in hostels, hotels, schools, stadiums and lodges, both public and private.

“Functional hospitals like Community Health Centres (CHCs), etc, which may be handling regular, non-COVID cases may also be designated as COVID Care Centres as a last resort. Dedicated COVID Health Centre (DCHC) that shall offer care for all cases that have been clinically assigned as moderate,” stated the affidavit.

“These should either be a full hospital or a separate block in a hospital with preferably separate entry/exit/zoning. Private hospitals may also be designated as COVID Dedicated Health Centres. These hospitals would have beds with assured Oxygen support,” the Centre said.

It affirmed that a dedicated COVID hospital will offer comprehensive care, primarily for those who have been clinically assigned as severe patients.

As per the revised national policy for admission of COVID patients, the Centre has done away with the requirement of a COVID-positive report.