BMC circular says, ” No Positive test report shall be shared by the laboratory with the patient directly. The Laboratory shall share the report only with MCGM…”
Mumbai| Amidst the rising Coronavirus cases in the city, the Municipal Corporation of Mumbai (BMC) has come out with a change in testing communication strategy. According to the new directives, now the patient who has tested positive will not be communicated his test results directly by the laboratories. Instead, the laboratories will have to send the test reports of a positive patient to the BMC which in turn will inform the patient about his test results.
Many have taken to social media to slam the move of the BMC citing that it will not only delay but also complicate the process.
Also Read: After Maharashtra Government Reconciles Data, Mumbai COVID-19 Death Toll Climbs To 862
The circular issued on June 13, introduces changes into the “COVID-19 Testing Clarification” policy dated June 5th. The circular says, ” No Positive test report shall be shared by the laboratory with the patient directly. The Laboratory shall share the report only with MCGM and MCGM, in turn, will share it with the patient.”
The guideline is similar for home tested patients. However, it clarifies that those who have tested negative for COVID-19 may be shared their report directly. The negative report won’t be required to be shared with the MCGM.
The circular is signed by Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Chahal.
Dr Rahul Ghule, founder of 1 Rupee Clinic responding to the directive flagged concerns. Sharing the picture of the circular he tweeted, “whom to contact in bmc for report? If bmc delays, and unfortunately health deteriorates of the patient, who will be responsible?”
When contacted Additional Municipal Commissioner Suresh Kakani and Health Committee Chairman Amey Ghole did not respond to our calls.
Reacting to the circular, former Maharashtra Cabinet Minister and BJP leader Vinod Tawde said that patient has the right to know his test report results immediately. Blaming the inefficiency of BMC, he said, it could result in deteriorating health condition of COVID-19 patient.
“This decision is dangerous. The BMC shouldn’t go ahead with this. One copy should be given to the patient and one copy should be submitted with the BMC. It is a fundamental right of a patient to know the status of his health,” Tawde said. He added that the new circular is a conspiracy by BMC to hide the real number of Coronavirus patients in the city.
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