Ficci calls for preventive measures of coronavirus in India

New Delhi: Industry body Ficci has recently called for measures to prevent the spread of deadly coronavirus in India, even as two more cases -- one in Delhi and another in Telangana -- were reported in the country. It suggested the adoption of infection control practices and strengthening of screening at airports, among others.

"Till date, India has been relatively untouched. The most important part of our strategy must be screening and ensuring that the virus does not enter and parallelly a hospital preparedness strategy is in place," Ficci president Sangita Reddy said.

She said this needs to be further backed by mapping of available health-care resources in both public and private sector, for sample testing, quarantine and treatment to prepare for likely spread.

The Health Ministry said two more positive cases of the novel coronavirus -- one in Delhi and another in Telangana -- have been reported.

Read also: India's medical value travel industry needs more measures: FICCI- EY Report

"Screening at all ports of entry for travellers from all countries should be immediately strengthened. As private hospitals in India cater to many international patients under Medical Value Travel, active involvement of the private healthcare providers becomes even more critical to develop protocols for screening, isolation and treatment of COVID-19 infected persons," Reddy said. 

Medical Dialogues had previously reported on 24 February 2020 that India has imposed some restrictions on the export of certain medical equipment to China in view of their short supply within the country and asserted that precautions taken by authorities were in accordance with the WHO's advisory on coronavirus. 

The comments by the Spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs came after China raised the issue of India restricting the export of certain medical supplies to it following the coronavirus epidemic in that country.

Read also: Coronavirus: Restrictions Imposed On The Export Of Medical Equipment To China