States/UTs must ensure unhindered movement of doctors, healthcare workers: MHA
The Centre on Monday asked the states to ensure an uninterrupted movement of doctors and other healthcare workers during the lockdown. It said that curbs on them can lead to severe constraints in rendering COVID and non-COVID medical services.
There have been several reports of healthcare services who were being affected in some places, including in the national capital after the neighbouring states closed down the inter-state borders and barred movement of the medical workers.
In a letter to the chief secretaries of all the states and union territories, the Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla stated that the inter-state movement of doctors and paramedics should be facilitated wherever required.
"Any restrictions on the movement of medical professionals and para-medical staff can lead to severe constraints in rendering COVID and non-COVID medical services, the letter stated. "As such, ensuring the unhindered movement of all such medical professionals is essential for meeting public health requirements and saving precious human lives," the letter added.
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Bhalla also said that there have been reports of many private clinics and nursing homes that were not being allowed to open at several places. The functioning of these medical facilities, which supplement the regular medical infrastructure, and relieve the burden on hospitals, is also crucial, he noted. "I would urge all the states and UTs to ensure that such clinics and nursing homes continue to function without any hindrances," he said.
-PTC News
