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HDK writes to PM Modi, rues state’s role ignored in co-branded health scheme

TNN
February 17, 2019

Bengaluru, Feb 17: Chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday shot off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging to recognise the contribution of the Karnataka government in the Ayushman Bharat-Arogya Karnataka (AB-ArK) health insurance scheme.

The Ayushman Bharat scheme was co-branded with Arogya Karnataka as the latter was first launched on March 2, 2018 by the state and later, the Centre announced on March 21, 2018 its scheme for BPL families.

The benefits of the centrally sponsored scheme (CSS) have been confined to 62.2 lakh families whereas the total number of BPL families covered by the state is over 1.20 crore with the government bearing the cost of the remaining 58 lakh families. “Under AB-ArK, 40,483 beneficiaries availed treatment, of which 9,970 are covered under the CSS assistance and the remaining 30,513 under the state’s initiative. Of the total expenditure of Rs 161 crore, Rs 139 crore has been borne by the state while the Centre’s contribution is only Rs 22 crore,” he claimed.

He said the the PM’s letters to CSS beneficiaries with ‘dummy’ health cards was “creating confusion”.

Under the agreement signed between the Centre and the state, all information, education and communication (IEC) material, including advertisements and promotions carried in the media shall carry photographs, if required, of political functionaries of both state and central governments. “However, these letters carry photographs of only the PM. The state was also not consulted while sending these letters though it has borne a higher share of expenditure,” he added.

He requested the PM to henceforth release promotional or communication material “after due consultation” with the state and carry photographs of state functionaries along with those of the Centre.

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News Network
August 7,2020

Bengaluru, Aug 7: Amid the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Karnataka, the state's health department issued fresh guidelines for the disposal of bodies of COVID patients.

"Although an increased risk of COVID infection from a dead body to health workers or family members who follow standard precautions while handling the body is unlikely, the lack of scientific data requires the utmost care to avoid the inadvertent spread of COVID-19 during these times," the statement from the health department's press release read, emphasising on the dignity of the dead and the religious and cultural tradition.

The 23-page press release elaborated on guidelines regarding testing, handling of dead bodies and other specificities in relation to the management of COVID-19 bodies.

"Testing should not be insisted in every case of death, but only when they have a recorded history of influenza-like symptoms. The body should be handed over to the family members/ relatives in a dignified manner immediately after swab collection and hospitals should provide handouts with a list of dos and don'ts in English and Kannada laying down relevant information," the statement said.

It added, "At the mortuary, health care workers, mortuary staff and the family of the deceased body shall not come in direct contact with the dead body and must wear full personal protective equipment (PPE). If the family or relative are for any reason unable to cremate or bury the body, the local health authority shall arrange for the dignified last rites as per the religious traditions of the family."

Regarding autopsies (post mortem) on COVID-19 bodies, the state department said that they should be avoided, except in necessary circumstances.

The statement also gave detailed guidelines regarding the appropriate recording of COVID-19 deaths in line with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines.

Additionally, the health department made a statement about the admission procedure for COVID positive patients referred by other district administrations saying, "It is now mandatory for all the referrals from the BBMP admission and discharge of COVID positive patients to be done through the online COVID Hospital Bed Management System (CHBMS)."

The state's count of coronavirus cases was 1,51,449 in the past 24 hours.

So far, a total of 2,804 people have died due to COVID-19 in the state, while the average recovery rate in Karnataka is 49.3 per cent.

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News Network
May 18,2020

Bengaluru, May 18: Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Mallikarjuna Kharge on Monday slammed the State Government’s decision to appoint administrative committees to Panchayats, which completes their five-year term, shortly.

Speaking to media persons, the Congress leader described the State Government’s decision on appointing committees as a ‘death knell ‘ to the basic characters of the Panchayat bodies, which were elected on a non-party basis.

Strongly recommending the BJP-led government to desist from its decision, Kharge urged Chief minister B S Yediyurappa to extend the term of the elected bodies of the Panchayats by six months.

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News Network
March 25,2020

Kalaburagi, Mar 25: Three coronavirus suspect persons who did not stay home during their mandatory 14-day quarantine period had first information report (FIRs) booked against them in police stations in Kalaburagi town in Karnataka.   

The district administration took this action after it came to know that the three pesons were mingling in the public despite being told to stay home to avoid passing on the coronavirus.

Cases have been booked against them under IPC sections 188 and 271, deputy commissioner B Sharath said.

Stringent action would be taken against them, he said, for not only threatening the health of their family members but society at large.

“The administration will stop at nothing to safeguard public health in this time of emergency,” Sharath said.

People moving around on motorbikes without a proper reason will have their bikes seized. Prohibitory order under Section 144 of CrPC will remain in force until further orders, he said.  

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