Breaking protocol, health dept team at ‘MLA’s doorstep’ for Covid sampling

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, July 15

On the one hand Health Department in Patiala is raising hue and cry over being understaffed to fight coronavirus, on the other hand it allegedly provided sampling ‘service at doorstep’ to a Congress MLA on Wednesday. 

In fact, Patiala health department went all the way to the residence of MLA -- in his native village — to take his sample for coronavirus. 

Sadly, common people—including sick patients—have to queue up at health centres to give samples for Covid testing. 

Interestingly, the health department took samples of the Congress MLA and his family members violating the existing protocol. 

Dr Satinder Sandhu, Senior Medical Officer (SMO), confirming the development said they took samples of the MLA and his family members at his residence. “Some of his workers came to our centre for medicines, therefore, I thought we should take samples of MLA also. There was no wrong intention behind taking samples,” she added.

When asked about the rationale behind taking his samples, the SMO said that they took samples as routine work. She explained neither he (MLA) was symptomatic nor an inter-state traveller. Moreover, MLA was not a contact of any positive patient. 

Sources in the health department said rules were violated for the sample collection of the MLA and his family members. 

However, senior officers at the health department—including Patiala Civil Surgeon—remained tightlipped. The Health Department said action would be taken only after they receive a complaint.

The MLA has already shared the pictures of a sample collection of himself and his family members on his social media account. 

Meanwhile, the Congress MLA said, “As a public representative, I meet hundreds of people, therefore, I got myself tested for coronavirus.  I and my wife are already suffering from other diseases, therefore we could not visit the health centre.”