Health minister Veena George
Thiruvananthapuram: Reacting to the allegations of the government concealing the actual Covid deaths, Health Minister Veena George asked why the government should hide the Covid fatalities. She said that reports on underreporting of Covid deaths are not true and they have not asked the doctors to do it. The minister was replying to the allegations at a press meet in Thiruvananthapuram.
Covid death is confirmed by a doctor who treated the patient or the medical superintendent of the hospital. “We have not covered up the actual Covid fatalities. After the new government took over, online facility was set up to report Covid deaths. Hospitals have been directed to report Covid deaths within 24 hours,” she said.
The minister made it clear that if the government did not want to reveal the true figures in the state, why should an online facility be set up. The fatalities are registered and recorded by a panel of doctors earlier too.
'The government is committed to bring transparency and if there are any discrepancies it would be resolved. The doctors decide Covid deaths and it is the union health ministry which decides on amending the guidelines. As a minister, I cannot recommend to change the Covid guidelines,' she said.
The minister also wanted to check the Covid fatalities in Thiruvananthapuram medical college, which is much higher than the government calculations. If any deaths due to Covid was not reported, then it will be pursued. Complaints on this can be forwarded through mail and will be investigated, she said.
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