Question : Non-COVID Patients

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has noted that due to COVID outbreak the treatment of Non-COVID patients have been affected and rendered unaffordable and the patients suffering from serious diseases like cancer andtuberculosis are not getting timely and regular treatment particulary in rural areas;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the number of deaths recorded from these diseases since March 2020 till date along with the percentage decrease in the treatment of Non-COVID patients;

(c) the steps being taken by the Government to ensure affordable and accessible treatment to Non-COVID patients including regulation of prices in private hospitals for COVID-19 as well as other medical conditions;

(d) whether the children are the worst affected as the States/UT have stopped immunization programme due to COVID, if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon;

(e) whether after the implementation of Unlock 4 by the Government there has been improvement in the care and treatment of Non-COVID patients including commencing of OPD and other facilities for them; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and other steps taken or being taken by the Government in this regard?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a) to (f): Recognising the impact of COVID-19 on delivery of other essential health services, detailed Guidance note on enabling Delivery of Essential Health Services during the COVID-19 Outbreak, including treatment of cancer, were issued in April, 2020. In addition, separate guidelines / advisories on delivery of specific health services, including for treatment of Tuberculosis and immunization, were also issued from time to time. Status of delivery of non-COVID essential services was also monitored with States/UTs through video conferencing at various levels in order to ensure that such services are continued. Central Government hospitals have provided treatment to patients other than COVID-19 patients. Emergency and trauma services have been functional and available for other than COVID-19 patients. The Ministry also issued directions to Central Government hospitals as well as to State Governments from time to time to also focus on non-COVID essential health care services. Among the measures taken to ensure treatment to Tuberculosis patients, guidance was issued to State/UTs for bi-directional TB-COVID screening and screening of Tuberculosis among ILI/SARI cases as well as for ensuring functionality of Tuberculosis diagnostic labs.
Though subsequent to adoption of containment measures aimed at preventing spread of COVID-19, utilization of immunization services had slowed down, there is improvement in situation as the restriction on movement is being eased out. The healthcare facilities are improving gradually after introduction of unlock measures in phased manner.