New Delhi: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Thursday appealed to the central government to prepare a post-COVID health policy.
Addressing a press conference IMA president Dr. Rajan Sharma said that self precautions by citizens and pre-diagnosis patient care by primary care doctors and secondary care hospitals are the key to reduce mortality.
“Community transmission should be acknowledged with the district as the unit. Public health activities of testing and contact tracing should continue meticulously. Locking and unlocking should be decentralised and tempered by livelihood issues,” said Dr Sharma.
While demanding allocation of 5 per cent of GDP for the health sector, Dr Sharma said "We demand the creation of all India medical services. There should be an equal priority for non-COVID care. There should be a continuation of the concept of dedicated COVID Care Hospitals and triaging in non-COVID care," he said.
IMA with its 1700 local branches spread across 28 states and 5 UTs worked relentlessly against the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dr Sharma said that IMA has organized hundreds of webinars and continues to sensitise and equip Indian doctors with updated information and best practices against Covid-19.
“The morale of the Indian doctors is kept up by constant interaction and counselling. IMA maintains a National COVID Registry of doctors who have sacrificed their lives and those who have been infected in line of duty. Brought out guidelines for clinics and hospitals to reopen and function safely. We have established N 95 bank for resident doctors,” said Dr Sharma.
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