Thread by @jamewils

Has the health ministry finished counting how many doctors, nurses, ventilators, intensive care units are available in each state and district? If yes, why has this information not been released online to reassure the public, like most countries have done?

#10QuestionstoGovt

How many beds & ventilators does India have in public and private hospitals which are installed & ready for immediate use for Covid-19 care? Will the ones in the PVT sector be deployed free of cost, like it is being done in other countries, especially Spain?

#10QuestionstoGovt

Reports are emerging of hospitals turning away or evicting patients showing symptoms of the Covid-19 disease. What are the guidelines for public and private hospitals for examining, diagnostic sampling, admitting and referring such patients, if needed?

#10QuestionstoGovt

Is the government thinking of offering Covid-19 care in its health insurance scheme Ayushman Bharat, which would allow private hospitals to take in patients for free? If so, how exactly does the government plan to do this?

#10QuestionstoGovt

Does Govt have enough safety equipment for health workers? Are those working in isolation wards being tested regularly? Why has Govt not expanded the criteria to test doctors & nurses who care for Covid-19 patients, regardless of whether they have symptoms?

#10QuestionstoGovt

The government has announced a country-wide lockdown on Sunday. If such lockdowns continue, how will patients with Covid-19 and other illnesses get to hospitals and back? How will supplies reach health systems?

#10QuestionstoGovt

With the outbreak disrupting global supply chains, what steps has the government taken to ensure India does not see any shortages of drugs and medical equipment, other than banning exports?

#10QuestionstoGovt

There is an emerging concern about the hoarding and non-availability of antiretroviral drugs which have been approved for use in Covid-19 treatment. This may affect care for HIV patients. Does the health ministry have a plan to pre-empt this possibility?

#10QuestionstoGovt

Does the health ministry have a plan to ensure there are no breaks in treatment for other high-mortality diseases like tuberculosis and cancer? If so, what is the plan?

#10QuestionstoGovt

Is there a swift data information system that allows everyone to access up-to-date information for every district on the number of Covid-19 cases tested, diagnosed, admitted, placed in intensive care, with details on recovery, discharge and deaths, if any?

#10QuestionstoGovt

These are 10 urgent questions for the government put together by a collective of health reporters.

Now ask whether Modi addressed any of these questions during his speech or his Ministry?

We are a nation which do not seek accountability even during these pandemic!

These questions are published in the @scroll_in

scroll.in/article/956691…