MHA urges for ensuring medical services in all States, UTs

Srinagar, May 11 : Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday urged all States and UTs to ensure opening of all private clinics, nursing homes and labs with all their medical professionals and staff on duty.
According to Kashmir News Service (KNS), the order issued by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla to all state Chief Secretaries and UT authorities also directed the facilitating of such inter-state movement, whenever required.
“All States and UTs should ensure that their field officials allow smooth movements of all medical professionals, nurses, para-medical, sanitation personnel and ambulances”, orders reads.
The Ministry issued the order following information that private clinics and nursing homes were not allowed to open so far at many places in wake of Covid-19 lockdown.
“The functioning of these medical facilities, which supplement the regular medical infrastructure, and relieve the burden on hospitals, is also crucial. I would urge all States and UTs to ensure that such clinics and nursing homes contine to function without any hindrances”, order mentioned.
The instructions following Sunday’s meeting of Cabinet Secretary Rajib Gauba with the Chief Secretaries and Principal Secretaries (Health) of all States and UTs through a video conferencing wherein the issue of restrictions being imposed by some States and UTs on the movement of medical professionals and para-medical personnel was flagged.
The services of medical and para-medical staff are urgently required in meeting the challenges of novel Corona Virus pandemic. Furthermore, the existing staff, apart from this duty, also have to render normal responsibilities, such as conducting immunization programmes, handling the onset of vector and other seasonal diseases, and meeting other non-Covid-19 emergencies.
“In this scenario, as pointed out by the Cabinet Secretary, any restrictions on the movement of medical fraternity can lead to severe constraints in rendering Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 medical services”, the order reads.
“As such, ensuring unhindered movement of all such medical professionals is essential for meeting public health requirements and saving precious human lives”, order said.
It is pertinent to mention that authorities across the country suspended all medical operations after Covid-19 outbreak and urged people to stay indoors and maintain social distance to prevent Covid-19 transmission. (KNS)