Telangana Human Rights Panel Seeks Report On Preventive Measures Taken For COVID-19

Human Rights Commission of Telangana State has asked the government to file a comprehensive report on the awareness and precautionary measures being taken up in the state amidst the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The Commission has also scheduled an awareness meeting with all the medical heads in Telangana, along with the medical superintendents of government hospitals in the city.

The Commission on Thursday took cognizance of the outbreak after a confirmed case was reported in the state.

While stating that there are apprehensions in the wake of coronavirus outbreak in Hyderabad, the Commission said it would review the situation as per its functions notified under section 12 of Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. The Act provides authority to the Commission to review the safety measures being taken for protecting human rights.

It directed the Telangana Chief Secretary and all District Collectors to file a comprehensive report as to the treatment being provided to the coronavirus-infected patient. It also asked for the precautionary measures being taken by the government and awareness measures taken to eradicate panic in the state.

The state reported its first COVID-19 case earlier this week after a 24-year-old techie, who recently returned from Dubai, tested positive for the virus.

Telangana Health Minister Eatela Rajender, on Thursday, said samples of two borderline cases from the state tested negative for COVID-19.

One is the employee of global science-based company DSM Shared Services, and the other one is a sanitation staff of a hospital where the first positive case was treated.

A Command Control Room has been set up and is being supervised by the Health Minister and senior officers of the Indian Administrative Service.

Four committees headed by senior IAS officers are looking after the surveillance and management of hospitals, along with logistics, procurement and campaign activities.

Also, 22 medical colleges in the state have agreed to provide treatment to the infected and suspected cases of coronavirus.