Lok Sabha Question No. 1036 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-18
Subject: Non-COVID Patients
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Ravneet Singh, Asaduddin Owaisi, Uttam Kumar Nalamada Reddy, Imtiaz Jaleel Syed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1036 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 TH SEPTEMBER, 2020

## NON - COVID PATIENTS

## 1036. SHRI RAVNEET S INGH BITTU: SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAIS I: SHRI SYED IMTIAZ JAL EEL: SHRI UTTAM KUMAR RED DY NALAMADA:

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  o Non - COVID  patients have been affected and rendered unaffordable and the patients suffer from serious diseases like cancer andtuberculosis are not getting timel y and regular treatment particulary in rural areas;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the number of deaths recorded from these diseases sin 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  trea to  Non - COVID  patients  including  regulation  of  prices  in  private  hospitals  for  COVID - 19 as well as other medical conditions;
- (d)  whether  the  childre n  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  be 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  Governmen regard?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEAL TH 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,  inclu ding  treatment  of  cancer,    were  issued  in  April,  2020.  In  addition,  sep guidelines  /  advisories  on  delivery  of  specific  health  services,  including  for  trea

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 conferenci at  various  levels  in  order  to  ensure  that  such  services  are  continued.  Central  Gov 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 Gover from  time  to  time  to  also  focus  on  non - COVID  e ssential  health  care  services.  Among  the measures taken to ensure   treatment to Tuberculosis patients, guidance was issued to State for bi - directional TB - COVID screening and screening of Tuberculosis among ILI/SARI cases  as well as for ensuring   fun ctionality of  Tuberculosis  diagnostic labs.

Though  subsequent  to  adoption  of  containment  measures  aimed  at  preventing  spread  o COVID - 19,  utilization of immunization services had slowed down,   there is improvemen situation  as  the  restrictio n  on  movement  is  being  eased  out. The  healthcare  facilities  are improving gradually after introduction of unlock measures in phased manner.