The Union Health Ministry on Saturday said the requirement of a positive COVID-19 test report is not mandatory for admission to a health facility.

In its revised national policy for admission of COVID patients to various dedicated health facilities, both public and private, the Union Health Ministry said no patient will be refused services on any account, including oxygen and essential drugs, even if he or she belongs to a different city.

''In a significant directive to states, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has revised the national policy for admission of COVID patients to various categories of COVID facilities. ''This patient-centric measure aims to ensure a prompt, effective and comprehensive treatment of patients suffering from COVID-19,'' the ministry statement reads.

''Hospitals under the central government, state governments and UT administration, including private hospitals managing COVID patients, shall ensure that requirement of a positive test for COVID-19 virus is not mandatory for admission to a COVID health facility.

''A suspect case shall be admitted to the suspect ward of COVID Care Centre (CCC), Dedicated COVID Health Centre (DCHC) of Dedicated COVID Hospital (DHC) as the case may be,'' the directive to all the states and Union Territories said.

It said no patient will be refused services on any count which includes medications such as oxygen or essential drugs even if the patient belongs to a different city.

''No patient shall be refused admission on the ground that he/she is not able to produce a valid identity card that does not belong to the city where the hospital is located,'' it said.

Health Minister says, No new COVID-19 case reported in 180 districts in last 7 days

Delhi CM Kejriwal demands 2.6-Cr vaccine jabs for administrating all in Delhi in next 3 months

JDU leader Mohammad Tanveer passes away due to corona, CM Nitish condoles