Mumbai: Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Thursday said wealthy patients are hogging ICU beds in hospitals even when they don't have any symptoms of the COIVD-19 infection.
A Pune-based journalist succumbed to the coronavirus on Wednesday after a private hospital in Ahmednagar allegedly delayed his treatment over advance payment.
"Unfortunately, journalist Pandurang Raikar died in Pune as he did not get an ambulance on time to get treated for Coronavirus. This case will be investigated and hopefully this will not happen again. All the commissioners in the state have been instructed to provide ambulances to the needy immediately," the state health minister added.
"The Corona crisis in the state continues and everyone should cooperate during such times. The deadly virus can affect anyone, be it a minister or a common man. Some wealthy people insist on ICU and get a bed when they don't need it, due to this, a person who is in dire need doesn't get a bed. However, care will be taken to ensure that beds are made available in private hospitals in Pune", Tope said.
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Tope elaborated, the state government works on the Corona issue on two principles - transparency and honesty. "Our emphasis is on testing. The opposition party claims it is wrong. I am pursuing a reduction in the rate of IT PCR. These rates will be further increased from 1200 to 1300. We will also bring mask rates under control. Despite the ongoing COVID crisis in the state, the Maha Vikas Aghadi is leaving no stone unturned to help people," the health minister stated.
