Any person undergoing testing for COVID-19 has right to know the outcome of the test result be it positive or negative, stated a letter issued by Nagaland DoHFW to district health authorities on June 14. (Image Courtesy: nagahealth.nagaland.gov.in)
DoHFW issues ‘guidance note’ for such disclosure
Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 15
Any person undergoing testing for COVID-19 has right to know the outcome of the test result be it positive or negative, stated a letter issued by Nagaland DoHFW to district health authorities on June 14.
In this connection, the department has directed all the concerned district medical authorities to provide test result/report to the person in quarantine centre or COVID Hospital "as and when the result becomes available."
“Whereas it is important to maintain confidentiality for the people who are affected by COVID-19 so that they do not face any discrimination; for the person concerned who had undergone testing, it is her/his right to know the outcome of the test result be it positive or negative,” stated a letter by Principal Director Directorate of Health and Family Welfare Department (DoHFW), Dr Vizolie Suokhrie.
“Therefore, the test result/report should be provided to the person in quarantine centre or COVID Hospital as and when the result becomes available,” added the letter addressed to Chief Medical Officer/Medical Superintendent of all districts on June 14.
The letter came in the backdrop of people in quarantine centres demanding to see their results after tests are done. It also included a ‘guidance note’ on test result information to patient/person. These are as follows:
1. The test result as and when available will be shared with the patient/person who is tested, in a given format.
2. The report given is expected to be honoured by the community as documentary evidence. If any patient/person requires the test result generated from the testing laboratory, they will send a request to his/her facility in-charge in writing mentioning the WhatsApp number where she/he wants to receive the report. The facility in-charge will be responsible to provide the report with other names erased/hidden. Individual original hard copy may not be possible at this juncture when the volume of tests performed is high.
3. The healthcare worker on duty will provide counselling while providing the test result. On discharge, proper advice on home quarantine and other safety measures will be given. This is in addition to the counselling which is provided telephonically by counsellors.
4. The COVID facility in-charges are to instruct the frontline workers to provide all necessary information which are due to the returnees/patients like the status of sample testing, the quarantine protocol, medications, do's and don'ts etc to avoid untoward situations. The information flow should always be kept open for any complaint / grievances.
