• Patients who are classified to be treated at home will be in touch  with the respective regional medical officers on a daily basis via the  1390 hotline
• This programme is currently in operation in the Kalutara district as a  pilot project

By Sheain Fernandopulle   

The Health Ministry yesterday introduced a new hotline number 1390 to create a new process to properly care for COVID-19 patients at home.  

Accordingly, the patients who will be treated at home will be classified in accordance with several factors such as patients who show and don’t show symptoms, whether the said patient could be treated while at home and the COVID condition in the surrounding areas etc.  

The patients who are classified to be treated at home will be in touch with the respective regional medical officers on a daily basis via the 1390 hotline.  

Moreover, the patients whose conditions become worse, would be directed to hospitals for further treatment under the supervision of medical officers.  

However, the Health Ministry said priority would be given to symptomatic patients above the age of 60 in directing them to the hospitals and treatment centres.  

“This programme is currently in operation in the Kalutara district as a pilot project and the Ministry hopes to expand it to the Western Province and to the entire country,” the Ministry added.  

The new programme was introduced considering the concerns raised by medical professionals. 

• The new programme was introduced considering the concerns raised by medical professionals