Covid-19: hospital in ahmedabad has separate ward for muslims

Amid coronavirus scare, at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, the dedicated 1,200 beds for COVID-19 patients or individuals suffering from symptoms have been segregated into wards – depending upon

their faith or religion. Medical Superintendent, Dr. Gunvant H Rathod, told The Indian Express that the separate wards – for Hindu and Muslims patients – have been created upon state

government’s directions. However, Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister, Nitin Patel denied any knowledge of it. “Generally, there are separate wards for male and female patients. But

here, we have made separate wards for Hindu and Muslim patients,” said Dr Rathod. “It is a decision of the government and you can ask them [for the reason].” By far, at least 150 of the 186

people admitted in the hospital for coronavirus are positive; among them, reportedly, at least forty are Muslims. One patient at the hospital told that on Sunday, “the names of twenty-eight

men admitted in the first ward [A-4] were called out. We were then shifted to another ward [C-4].” He further added, “While we were not told why we were being shifted, all the names that

were called out belonged to one community. We spoke to one staff member in our ward today and he said this had been done for ‘the comfort of both communities’.” Deputy CM Patel said that

“generally, there are separate wards for males and females. I will enquire about it.” Ahmedabad Collector K K Nirala also denied any knowledge of the matter. “There has been no such

instruction from our side and we are not aware of any such government decision,” added Nirala. By far, there have been more than 11,000 people tested positive for the coronavirus in the

country; among them at least 350 have died.