On Wednesday, Gujarat health department revised its testing policy allowing COVID-19 tests, recommended by an MBBS doctor. The revised policy had also permitted frontline health workers and cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy to take COVID-19 test without any approval of authorities. This is the fourth time the state has revised its testing policy since June.

Earlier testing policies permitted to COVID-19 testing were prescribed by only an MD doctor. Ahmedabad Medical Association (AMA) had opposed this move, on the grounds that often rural areas have MBBS qualified doctors managing primary healthcare centres (PHCs) and the requirement of recommendation from an MD doctor can delay suspected patients from taking the test.

Besides this relaxation, the health department has also allowed testing of frontline doctors, healthcare workers, staff nurses, laboratory technicians, pharmacists and other health officials without any reference. The Indian Medical Association Gujarat chapter has requested the same to the Gujarat High Court in a petition.

The state has already allowed COVID-19 testing of patients undergoing surgical procedures or invasive procedures such as dialysis, for pregnant women who are due for delivery, etc. The revised policy allows testing of cancer patients prior to their radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

For any asymptomatic person who desires to be tested, the approval of the chief district health officer or medical officer of health is necessary. The new notification, dated 15th July was issued from the office of Prakash Vaghela, Additional Director at the Health Department.

The revision has come just days ahead of the anticipated hearing of the PIL before the Gujarat High Court on COVID-19 related matters, which is on 17th July. During the last hearing on 19th June, the court had directed the state’s legal representatives to answer to the demands of AMA and IMA.

Gujarat is testing an average of 7,450 samples a day from the past two weeks of the 2nd phase of easing of restrictions.

Source: The Indian Express