New Delhi: Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the Union Health Ministry has ordered home delivery of drugs to CGHS beneficiaries aged 60 and above. The individuals having co-morbid conditions like diabetes or undergoing immuno-suppressant treatments are also included in the list of the beneficiaries. The government has made such arrangements so that they don't have to visit the healthcare centres during the coronavirus lockdown.
In its order, the ministry said medicines may be issued for three months at a time (in case of chronic diseases) through an authorised representative.
Elderly beneficiaries aged 60 or above, beneficiaries undergoing immuno-suppressant treatment like organ transplant, chemotherapy etc, uncontrolled diabetes/decompensated cardiac status or any other illness compelling stay at home would be able to avail the facility, it said.
The Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) and other Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) staff shall be sensitised to ensure strict compliance with these directions, the order said.
In a separate order, the ministry asked the additional directors, CGHS to ensure optimum utilisation of manpower at their disposal in view of their shortage at the wellness centre because of the deployment of CGHS medical officers at airports and other locations for surveillance.
"All leaves for the staff except on medical grounds, accompanied by medical certificate from a government doctor shall be cancelled," it read.
The ministry also asked them to advise CGHS beneficiaries to utilise online appointment system so that waiting is minimised and there is no overcrowding.
Read: Coronavirus Lockdown In Odisha: Home Delivery Operators, Grocery Outlets Exempted
Further, in an office memorandum, the health ministry stated that CGHS beneficiaries getting medicines for chronic diseases may purchase them based on the prescription held till April 30 irrespective of non-availability of certificate from CGHS or otherwise.
"The idea behind the measures is that CGHS beneficiaries need not visit CGHS wellness centres to collect medicines till April 30," the office memorandum stated.
Coronavirus Lockdown: Health Ministry Instructs Not To Appoint Resident Doctors Without Training At COVID-19 Units
No resident doctor should be posted at any COVID-19 facility without undergoing the "essential" training module being conducted by hospital infection control teams, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday.
The ministry issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) for reallocation of resident doctors, postgraduates and nursing students as part of the hospital management for COVID-19 guidelines.
The guidelines state that a hospital can be divided into three broad zones -- non-COVID area, COVID area looking after patients with mild to moderate illness, and Critical area like the intensive care unit.
In addition, a triage area needs to be developed at the emergency area of a hospital where patients with acute severe respiratory illnesses will be coming, it said.
"Residents/ DNB/ CPS students will be categorised based on their parent departments, primarily keeping in mind their current engagement in managing critically ill patients," the SOPs stated.
"Training about COVID-19, and other aspects of clinical evaluation of patients should also be made available for residents, especially those drawn from departments where there is either no regular patient-care activity or if they so desire, even those with a limited engagement with sick patients," the procedures stated.
The ministry under the SOPs said additional training must be given at the facility where a resident doctor is posted.
If there are two locations where screening takes place, the content of the facility level training must be the same, even if it is being delivered by different team leaders at the different physical locations, it said.
This will ensure that all key aspects of training are covered, irrespective of site of delivery and trainer, the SOPs stated.
The faculty-incharge of these facilities will coordinate to ensure that this uniform level of training is devised and delivered, the procedures stated.
"We may consider, including psychologists to be part of the training, to enhance motivation of participating residents," the ministry said.
(With Agency Inputs)
Also Read: Coronavirus Lockdown: Shop Timings To Be Extended Till Late Nights In Odisha