Kejriwal Alleges 'Black Marketing' Of Beds By Private Hospitals, Says Hospitals Can't Turn Away Suspected COVID-19 Patients

There is no shortage of beds for critical coronavirus patients in Delhi and no one showing symptoms should be turned away, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal

Hospitals Can't Turn Away Suspected COVID-19 Patients: Arvind Kejriwal

New Delhi: Delhi Cheif Minister Arvind Kejriwal held a press conference on Saturday to bring better clarity about the admission of COVID infected patients and testing centers in the national capital. The Delhi CM alleged that some private hospitals are involved in black marketing of beds in the hospitals. He said that the hospitals claim of no sufficient bed availability and demand financial help from the state government. Kejriwal said that these private hospitals have been lying to the patients and the government about the availability of beds, therefore, the Delhi state government launched the 'Delhi Corona' app to provide transparent information about the availability of beds and ventilators. Kejriwal warned the private hospitals who have been denying to admit patients and alleged that these hospitals are influenced by other political parties. He said that if the app shows that beds are vacant then the hospital will have to admit the patient. Some hospitals are denying admission to COVID patients. I am warning those who think they will be able to do black-marketing of beds using the influence of their protectors from other parties, you will not be spared: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Also watch| Hospitals cannot deny admission to suspected patients: Delhi CM The Delhi CM said from now a government official will be appointed in every private hospital to ensure that each patient gets the required treatment and the black marketing stops. To put an end to rumors of low testing capacity in Delhi, Kejriwal said that 5300 samples will be tested today and claimed that the national capital's testing capacity is highest in the country. He said that out of 42 private testing labs in Delhi, 6 were found 'doing mischief' and the state govt has already taken strict actions against them. Clearing the air about patients not being tested by the hospitals he said that from now and an order has been issued that no hospital can turn away a suspected patient and it will be the responsibility of the hospital to get the patient tested. The Chief Minister said the healthcare system in the national capital will, however, collapse, if thousands of asymptomatic people queued up for testing. He said testing should be for only those who show symptoms to avoid overrunning the healthcare system's capacity to treat people. Delhi recorded 1,330 fresh coronavirus cases on Friday, taking the COVID-19 tally in the city beyond the 26,000-mark, and the number of deaths due to the disease jumped to 708, the authorities said. Also watch| Delhi CM Kejriwal Warns Hospitals Over Black-Marketing Of Beds