Maharashtra is India's worst-hit State with coronavirus cases. The numbers have crossed 14,500 with the cases in Mumbai are nearing the 10,000-mark.
On Wednesday, the Maharashtra government issued a statement making it compulsory for private doctors in Mumbai to report to hospitals for treatment of COVID-19 patients.
The Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) issued a notification, asking around 25,000 private doctors in the city to get back to their duties.
The private doctors who are below 55 years of age and not having any comorbidity such as diabetes, hypertension or other ailments have been exempted from the same to report with instant effect to coronavirus dedicated hospitals for treatment of patients, the administration said.
The doctors have been requested to work for 15 days to offer treatment to the patients who have contracted the virus that has brought India's financial capital to its knees. If a doctor fails to report to the hospital, his medical license will be revoked.
The government has already summoned the Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act, Epidemic Diseases Act and Disaster Management Act to issue the above order.
The DMER said that the doctors would be provided with essential protective gear. The doctors will also be permissible to choose the location and time.
This is a crucial step for a city like Mumbai, which has caused havoc due to the novel coronavirus and now is nearing 10,000-mark. There were earlier concerns in Mumbai that private clinics didn't remain open for non-coronavirus patients. Many reports also stated that doctors also refused to examine suspected coronavirus patients showing symptoms like fever and cough.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan also stated that the situation in Maharashtra is a cause of concern as 34 of its 36 districts are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
