Delhi govt’s ban on testing asymptomatic patients faces challenge in HC - The Daily Guardian

Ashish Sinha — June 8, 2020, 3:51 am

The Delhi government’s order to limit Covid testing only to symptomatic patients has been contested in the Delhi High Court by a city-based ENT surgeon Dr. Manni Hingorani. The petition claims that the Delhi government’s order contravenes the international practice of testing those patients who are asymptomatic, but have to undergo a medical surgery.

It points out the settled medical practice for testing every patient scheduled to go for surgery, even if the patient doesn’t display Covid-19 symptoms. Due to the present order, doctors are unable to get patients tested for Covid-19 before any elective or emergency surgeries, threatening the medical staff’s health in case if the patient is Covid-positive.

The petitioner contends testing asymptomatic patients is necessary to prevent infection transmission from a Covid-positive patient to the operating surgeon and other hospital staff, citing fundamental rights of medical staffers to discharge professional duties. Plea also cites “Guidelines for safe ENT practice in Covid-19” issued by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 3 June 2020 on preoperation screening of patients, mandating Covid testing.