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Treating Covid patients at hotels: Paying facilities in the making

20 Dec 2020

  • Hotel expenses to be borne by hospitals

  • Two private hospitals already willing

  The Government will oversee the process of treating Covid-19 patients at selected hotels under the care provided by private hospitals. The hotel expenses would however be borne by the private hospitals and thereby be passed on to the patients.   State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemiology, and Covid Disease Control Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle told The Sunday Morning on Friday (18) that the Government will not incur any expenses in the initiative.   “Expenses will be borne by the private hospitals. The Government's responsibility would be to observe whether the patients are being treated in line with standards and that all procedures are being conducted properly. The Government will ensure they (private hospitals) adhere to the guidelines,” she said.   She said if anyone wishes to and is ready to make a payment for treatment, it will be easier for the Government as well in terms of expenses, since all expenses have been borne by the Government so far.   Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva on Thursday (17) said that measures have been taken to provide opportunities for Covid-19 patients who wish to seek treatment from private hospitals by converting hotels into treatment centres.   He said that Nawaloka Hospitals and Lanka Hospitals have made known their willingness to join the initiative by renting hotels for the purpose.   Dr. Fernandopulle said a date has not been fixed as of yet to launch the project but that it would start soon.   “It is an ongoing process; we have to start soon after making the proposal, as we have to identify the hotels as well,” she said.   Moreover, she said the proposal to treat Covid-19 patients at hotels was prompted due to two reasons.   “The first one is that no aggressive treatment is needed for asymptomatic patients. Therefore, hotels can be rented to increase bed capacity. On the other hand, there was a request by some to allow treatment for Covid-19-positive patients at private hospitals,” Dr. Fernandopulle said.   She added that patients will have the option of using private hospitals or being treated at converted hotels in line with health guidelines.   However, the State Minister also said that no hotel has been identified as of yet, adding that Cinnamon Red was suggested but not confirmed.  


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