Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Apr 7: The contentious issue of allowing patients from Kerala to enter Karnataka and visit Mangaluru for treatment has been resolved with the intervention of the Centre. The Centre on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court (SC) that the issue between Kerala and Karnataka relating to the latter closing the border has been resolved. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared for Centre and told SC that there exists no issues now and guidelines have been prepared for transportation of patients between the states.
The row over the border having been blocked by Karnataka had sparked a debate with some complaining against not allowing genuine patients to get treated at advanced hospitals at Mangaluru. Karnataka was worried, rightly so, over the possible influx of coronavirus positive people from Kerala entering Karnataka, which would have nullified the very purpose of blocking movement of the people to control the virus.
Mangaluru-Kasargod border (file photo)
After the central government took the initiative to resolve the issue at the instance of Kerala chief minster Karnataka agreed to allow non - COVID 19 patients to cross over to Karnataka for treatment. The patients will be required to produce medical certificate to that affect.
There have been divergent views on this decision. While people from Kasargod district in particular are happy that they can now get treated at Mangaluru. People of Dakshina Kannada are worried about the influence this decision can have on the coronavirus pandemic.