Ghaziabad health department asks for police cover to transport patients after violence in Moradabad

GHAZIABAD: Following an incident in Moradabad where a group of medical staff faced a mob attack, the health department on Thursday sought protection from Ghaziabad Police.
Health officials said the medical teams would inform the senior officers before going to any place to transport suspected patients to a quarantine centre or hospital.
Currently, as many as eight ambulances, including two advanced life support (ALS), have been exclusively put in the service of transporting COVID-19 patients.
Over 1,000 health workers are conducting surveys in 15 hotspots of the district to identify suspected coronavirus patients and collect information about their travel histories.
Chief medical officer Dr N K Gupta said he has spoken to SSP Kalanidhi Naithani regarding the matter. “So far, we have not faced any law and order issue while ferrying patients. However, the health staff has been asked to either speak to SP (Crime) or the designated deputy SP-level officer before going to any area. The police officer will ensure the law and order situation there,” he said.
As far as health workers, who are part of the surveillance team, are concerned, the CMO said cops are already posted in the area to implement the norms of the hotspot. “There is the round-the-clock presence of cops in these areas, so there is no such problem,” the official added.
SSP Kalanidhi Naithani said, “Our police force is on duty across the district and is constantly in touch with the influentials as well as religious heads of the area. The officers will speak to them to avoid any law and situation violation.”
The health officials have already been asked to inform the local SHO and the CO of the area before visiting the areas, Naithani added.
On the Moradabad incident, chief minister Yogi Adityanath said the attack on medical staff is an “unpardonable” crime.
The UP government has decided to use the stringent law promulgated during anti-CAA violence — Uttar Pradesh Recovery of Public and Private Property Ordinance, 2020 — against those indulging in violence.
Also, they will be booked under the National Security Act, said additional director general of police, law and order, PV Ramasastry while talking to TOI.