Gandhi Hospital, the state's Covid-19 centre of excellence, and its patients will face more difficulty from Tuesday as 620 contract outsourcing staff from other departments will join the 220 protesting contract outsourcing nurses on strike.
These include sanitation workers, security guards and Class 4 employees, said Dharani Padithem, a contract out-sourcing nurse. The nurses strike reached the fourth day on Monday.
Dharani said the demands of the non-nursing staff had not been addressed by the government "Now, they will be joining us. Together, we will fight for our demands." The nurses are demanding that they be absorbed into government rolls and their pay fixed as per the wage board scale. They were working for 13 years at the Gandhi Hospital.
On Sunday, the government offered to pay the nurses Z25,000 against the 017,000 they are earning. They rejected the offer, demanded wage board scales, in which they will earn 034,200.
1,000 in need of 02 cylinders
Hoarding, police checks make oxygen cylinders expensive for patients
The Hyderabad police has taken up aggressive checking of transportation of oxygen cylinders from warehouses to distributors and hospitals to stop hoarding. However, a section of people have been put at risk as non-government organisations are unable to provide them oxygen cylinders.
An estimated 1,000 patients require oxygen cylinders for home care. with doctor consultations. Many affluent patients have stocked the oxygen cylinders due to anxiety over their availability.
In the bargain, suppliers have increased the cost of the cylinders by four times.
An inquiry about oxygen concentrators revealed that it is available only at t70,000 for a month on Monday A distributor on the condition of anonymity said, "This is today's price. I am not sure if I can give the same price tomorrow. There is shortage and those who want it are picking up at the price that we offer."
Despite the raids by the Drug Control Authority, the prices of these medical devices are skyrocketing. An NGO head said, "We have seen the tendency to make fast money in digital thermometers, N-95 masks, sanitisers and medicines. Oxygen cylinders are also being exploited in the same manner. It is the needy and poor who are suffering and those who are trying to help them are being targeted, which is wrong."
Those who provide free cylinders have been asked to surrender them to the companies to avoid action.
Abu Aimal of Azad Foundation said, "I have been told to act on behalf of those who need oxygen support and it will be provided only if they get a prescription. The company will directly hand it to the customer according to the arrangement."
Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) corporators have been asked to assist patients in their constituencies for medical care and encourage people to seek treatment in government hospitals.
MIM president and mem-ber of parliament Asaduddin Owaisi said, "Many patients who were admitted in Gandhi Hospital have been discharged. Those who are in home care can approach their local corporator. But it has to be done under doctor's guidance."
2 held for illegal sale of oxygen cylinders
Continuing the crack-down on hoarding of oxygen cylinders, the North Zone Task Force nabbed two persons who are illegally selling the devices on Monday Four persons have been so far arrested for the illegal sale of oxygen cylinders.
One Nisar Ahmed came in contact with Nulu Venkata Subba Rao, a supplier, and purchased oxygen cylinders without having a valid or permission from the Drug Control Authority or the the Controller of Explosives.
Investigation revealed that Subba Rao was purchasing empty cylinders from agents in Gujarat, filling them with oxygen and selling them to dealers.
The cylinders were being sold at exorbitant prices to Covid-19 patients under home quarantine. Acting on a tip-off the Task Force raided at Zuzu Kids Zone and apprehended Ahmed and Subba Rao and seized the cylinders from their possession. They were handed over to the Musheerabad police along with 40 oxygen cylinders.
COVID CASES IN RURAL TS TOPS 600; OGH TOP DOC SERIOUS
A total of 1,550 new Covid-19 cases were recorded in the state on Monday, taking the total to 36,221. Non¬GHMC areas registered the highest-ever 624 cases, while 926 were found in the GHMC area. There were nine deaths, and the toll stands at 365.
Ranga Reddy recorded 212 cases, the first time it has crossed the 200-mark. Karimnagar saw a seen a major spike with 86 cases. Medchal had 53 cases, Nalgonda 41, Khammam 38 and Kamareddy 33.
The government said 11,928 isolation beds, 3,537 oxygen beds and 1,616 ICU beds, totalling 17,081, are available.
Osmania General Hospital Superintendent Dr B. Nagendra is on high level oxygen support as his viral load is very high and he is being closely monitored. There was a concern raised over his condition among doctors in the city.
NIZAMABAD GOVT HOSPITAL CHIEF RESIGNS
Government General Hospital, Nizamabad, medical superintendent Dr M. Nageshwar Rao resigned on Monday. Sources said he had sent his resignation papers to the medical department and the district collector. The hospital was in the news recently following the death of three Covid-19 patients in a single day and the mishandling of the body of a Covid-19 patient. Director of Medical Education Dr N. Ramesh Reddy had directed an inquiry into handing over of the body to the family instead of cremating it as per Covid•19 proto• cols. Criminal cases have been filed against the mortuary staff.
Tough times ahead, predicts oracle
The oracle Swarnalatha, as part of the Rangam ritual at the Ujjaini Mahankali Bonalu festivities, predicted tough times for the people. She said the Covid-19 pandemic was a consequence of the actions of the people themselves, while promising that she would help them overcome their problems.
The Bonalu festivities were a muted affair at the
Secunderabad temple. Only the temple staff was allowed to take part in the puja to maintain social distancing guidelines. The Rangam ritual is usually followed by a large procession on an elephant, in which thousands of people from across the state participate. This ritual was cancelled on Monday. During Rangam, an ora-cle is "possessed" by the goddess Mahankali, who then predicts the state's future.
On Monday when asked by the temple's head priest about the Covid-19 pandemic, the oracle said, "You have to bear the con-sequences of your actions. I am not happy with the pooja. I am upset with the people. But I will help my people."
The oracle said the coming days would be very difficult on the people.
I am there to help you, but you have to be very careful," she said.
She told devotees she wanted them to perform yagnas and homams for five weeks. "Do them with devotion. I will definitely save you," she said.
She told every house should send jaggery as well.
When asked whether the state government's Mission Bhageeratha mission would be successful in its aim to provide water supply to households, she said, "Definitely. Pray to Gangamatha, and perform puja, it will be successful."
Mandatory Covid tests on patients annoy dentists
The new rule making it mandatory for dentists to test every patient for Covid-19 using the rapid antigen test has angered dentists who say the government is making it difficult for them to practice. A few clinics who have been seeing patients by using personal protection kits, ultraviolet filters, foggers and other secondary protection gear said they have been following strict procedures.
Adding a new test was not justified and does not serve the purpose. They asked whether small nursing homes and hospitals were also asked to test their patients for Covid-19. Each kit costs 2475, and requires trained staff to take the nasopharengeal swab. Most dentists said that small and medium dental clinics could not afford it. The costs of tests, re-tests and kits would only add to the overall cost of treatment. They pointed out that patients have to come for three to four sittings and asked whether the patient should be tested every time. They asked what if the patient stops the dental treatment due to Covid-19 tests.
The Indian Dental Association's TS chapter also asked, "What if the patient tests negative in dental clinic and subsequently tests positive in laboratory tests? Will the dental clinics be blamed? What is the legal frame-work for dental clinics in terms of tests?"
Dr Taufiq Munshi, senior dentist, said "It is important that patients suffering from dental pain must opt for treatment. There is already a lot of confusion and patients are suffering. We need clarity on how to minimise risk factors." After this order, dentists said they would opt for 'tele consultation" for maximum patients limit the in-clinic patient to a few, which would make it difficult for them. Clinics which can afford these tests willing to operate perform them-The government has not consulted the dental association before giving this order yet the association is willing to work out a solution, said Dr B. Srikanth, president of Indian Dental Association-TS.
Don't glorify Covid numbers, KTR tells Opposition
IT and industries minister K.T. Rama Rao on Monday wanted the Opposition parties to clarify on who had succeeded in containing Covid-19, if Chief Minister Chandrashekar Rao had failed in tackling the problem.
He was addressing a gathering after inaugurating the newly constructed building of the Government Medical College at Mahabubnagar.
Refuting Opposition cribicism against Chandrashekar Rao, he said that they were spreading meaningless and malicious propaganda.
Pointing out that India stood third as far as Covid¬18 cases go, he asked the Opposition leaders "shall we hold the Prime Minister Narendra Modi responsible for this."
Patting health minister Etala Rajendar for giving his best since the outbreak of the Coronavirus, he said that the minister and medical officers and staff.
REFUTING OPPOSITION criticism against Chandrashekar Rao, he said the Opposition was spreading meaningless and malicious propaganda.
were working for more than 20 hours a day since the first case was reported in the state.
He said that the Opposition parties should not forget that the recovery rate in the state is 98 per cent. Rama Rao said we have to face the problem till a vaccine is invented. Meanwhile, people have no choice but to live with the virus."
Rajendar said getting a fourth medical college in the state became possible only with the formation of a separate state and pointed out that before bifurcation, the Telangana region did not get a single government medical college. He said that Telangana state stood in third place in the public health sector.
Sports minister V. Srinivas Goud, MP M. Srinivas Reddy and others participated in the programme. Earlier, Rama Rao inaugurated 660 double bedroom houses and the 2,087-acre Echo park.
Wakf Board meeting fails to pass resolution on mosque demolition
The Telangana Wakf Board did not pass any resolution on the demolition of two mosques at the Secretariat complex during its meeting was held on Monday under the chairmanship of board chairman Mohammed Saleem.
Shia member Moulana Dr Nisar Hyder Aga boycotted the meeting as the government and Wakf Board failed to protect the Shia shrines and properties and claimed that he will not attend the next meetings unless concrete action will be taken for the protection of the Properties.
The Wakf Board accord ed its nod for extending the contracts of hundis of Dargah Jahangir Peer and Dargah Jaan Pak Shaheed of Nalgonda district for 45 days, as these institutions were not allowed to open during the lockdown.
Later Saleem told the media that 50 agenda items were discussed in the meeting, 10 mutawallis were appointed and eight managing committees constituted. The Board's budget for 2020-21 was approved.
He said it was decided to appoint two mandal revenue offiers on deputation to ensure the protection of Wakf properties. The board also gave permis-sion to lease the Wakf properties of old Task Force Office, Begumpet and Hakeem Basheer Ahmed property opposite Shadan College.
SHIA MEMBER
Moulana Dr Nisar Hyder Aga boycotted the meeting as the government and Wakf Board failed to protect the Shia shrines.
A joint action committee (JAC) has been formed to reconstruct two mosques demolished in the Secretariat complex, after a meeting of Muslim organisations at the office of the Tahreek Muslim Shabban.
Shabban president
He demanded the government allow a delegation of Muslim religious leaders along with the media to visit the site of the demolished mosques. claimed that the places of worship were only damaged and not demolished." He wanted foundation stones laid for the two mosques at the same place or a GO issued on the matter. The JAC would not accept the proposal of a new mosque at another place within the new complex. The meeting was attended by former MP Syed Aziz Pasha, Mohammed Abdul Aziz, state president, Movement for Peace and Justice, Dr Moulana Asif Umri (Jamiat Ahle Hadees), Mujahid Hashmi, general secretary, Awami Majlis Amal, and others.
The State BJP on Monday demanded that a criminal case be filed against Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao and the Chief Secretary, holding them responsible for dismantling the Nalla Pochamma temple inside the Secretariat complex.
MLC N. Ramchander Rao accompanied by state party spokesperson N.V. Subhash and city party general secretary Atluri Ramakrishna lodged a complaint with Saifabad police demanding action against the Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary for hurting sentiments of the majority by demolishing the temple.
"It was unfortunate for the CM to say that the temple was damaged when debris fell on the structure during demolition," Ramchander Rao said, adding that Chandrashekar Rao had expressed concern only on seeing the public outrage.
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