Maharashtra govt forms two coordination panels on COVID-19

Maharashtra government has set up two committees at state and district level for better coordination between public and private hospitals in tackling spread of COVID-19.

decision to constitute coordination panels was taken on Thursday after a meeting between representatives of Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Maharashtra Chief secretary Ajoy Mehta, according to government.

A Government Resolution (GR) issued on May 14 said committees will ensure all government decisions regarding steps being taken to control pandemic and medical protocols are made available to all concerned.

panels will see that PPE kits, gloves and masks are made available to medical workers in private hospitals.

committees will also work out steps to be taken to ensure medical workers have social security and are treated with respect and dignity, GR said.

state-level committee will be headed by chief secretary and comprise principal secretary (public health), principal secretary (urban development),secretary (medical education), Mumbai municipal commissioner and director of Directorate of Medical Education.

Director of health services will be member-secretary, while president of IMA (Maharashtra) and a representative of association will be an invitee on panel.

district-level committee will have collector as chairman and members will include CEO of zilla parishad, police commissioner,municipal commissioners and district police superintendent.

District civil surgeon will be member-secretary, while district president of IMA (Maharashtra) and a representative of medical body will be an invitee.

Coordination between government and medical fraternity will be worked out for state and district level implementation of all coronavirus-related guidelines issued by WHO and Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GR said.

Till May 14, Maharashtra had recorded 27,524 cases of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, a release issued by IMA (Maharashtra) said a delegation led by its state unit president Avinash Bhondwe met Mehta and or senior officials on Thursday to discuss issues related to coronavirus pandemic.

Apart from setting up of two committees for smooth functioning of COVID 19 control campaign, IMA suggested that re should be a uniform policy about fees and or charges for COVID and n-COVID patients treated by private hospitals all over state.

IMA suggested that all acquired private hospitals should be included under state's Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, release said.

IMA said re should t be any medico-legal case against any doctor on ground that treating doctor or hospital is cause of COVID-19 infection to a patient.

renewal date of registration of hospitals under Bombay Nursing Home Act should be postponed in view of COVID-19 pandemic, release said.