Hospitals cannot refuse treatment to pregnant women even if they are COVID positive: DK Minister
Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada District In-charge Minister Kota Srinivas Poojary has said that private hospitals should not refuse to treat pregnant women who are COVID-19 positive.
He was addressing the press after visiting District Wenlock Hospital on Monday here in the city.
“Private hospitals that refuse to treat pregnant women and harass or pester them in any way will have to face strict action. The hospitals should, instead, keep their facilities ready to help the women go through labor safely as it cannot be withheld or delayed,” he said.
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The minister added that the Lady Goschen Hospital should urgently be provided separate wards to treat suspected cases of COVID-19 as this will make it easier to treat such patients at the hospital itself.
“The doctors at Wenlock Hospitals should cooperate with one another. The patients should be provided food in time, there should be variety in the food given to them. The quantity too should be as per the requirements of the patients,” Kota said and added, “A public relations officer will be provided for Wenlock Hospital to ensure proper treatment to all patients.”
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The minister said that a proposal will be sent to the government immediately to expand and install additional ventilators at the ICU wards of Wenlock Hospital. “Additional PPE kits and N-95 masks will be provided. More doctors, laboratory technicians and D-Group staff members will be appointed. The government will also approve the purchase of more ambulances and other equipment for hospitals,” he assured.
Kota said that since asymptomatic patients can be treated at home, such patients should be given permission for such treatment as early as possible.
MP Nalin Kumar Kateel concurred that strict action will be taken against defaulters regarding providing treatment to COVID-19 patients, while legislator Vedavyas Kamath told officers to ensure that patients who visit Wenlock and Lady Goschen Hospital do not face any problems with regard to treatment.
Pregnant woman struggles for treatment
A pregnant woman from Nelyadi in Puttur Taluk apparently ran from pillar to post for treatment. On learning of the matter, Kota instructed the Deputy Commissioner to investigate the case and ensure the woman was treated immediately.
He warned that strict action would be taken against the people who delayed the treatment to the woman and that such people would even be dismissed if necessary.
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Rupee falls 7 paise to 90.96 against the US dollar in early trade
Mumbai (PTI): The rupee fell by 7 paise to 90.96 against the US dollar in early trade on Tuesday, weighed down by a rise in global crude oil prices and a stronger greenback.
A poor start to the domestic equity markets further pressured the local unit, but FII inflows provided support, preventing a sharp fall, forex traders said.
At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 90.91 against the US dollar and slipped further to 90.96, down 7 paise from its previous close.
The rupee gained 5 paise to settle at 90.89 against the US dollar on Monday.
"The Reserve Bank might be intervening to keep the rupee away from 91.00 levels, but the buying will itself allow it to go beyond 91.00 levels," Anil Kumar Bhansali, Head of Treasury and Executive Director, Finrex Treasury Advisors LLP, said.
Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.11 per cent higher at 97.81.
"The dollar index was higher amid a repositioning... It faces headwinds from (US President Donald) Trump's 15 per cent global tariffs announcement after the unfavourable Supreme Court ruling," Bhansali said.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, rose sharply by 0.85 per cent to USD 72.10 per barrel.
On the domestic equity market front, the Sensex tumbled 525.29 points to 82,769.37 in early trade, while the Nifty went down 145.85 points to 25,567.15.
On Monday, foreign institutional investors purchased equities worth Rs 3,483.70 crore, according to exchange data.
