Karnataka allows treatment for Kerala patients

New Delhi, April 7

The dispute between Karnataka and Kerala over the former’s refusal to allow patients from Kasaragod in the neighbouring state to approach medical services in Mangaluru has been sorted out.

“The dispute doesn’t exist anymore,” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde. “Karnataka has agreed to allow non-Covid-19 emergency patients to avail of medical services in Mangaluru,” Mehta said, adding that the matter was sorted out after a meeting held by the Union Home Secretary with the chief secretaries of the two states.

However, the entry of patients from Kerala into Karnataka is subject to medical examination at the Talapadi check post at the border and only government ambulances would be allowed.

Also, the patient must have a certificate that he/she is not suffering from Covid-19 and that treatment for the medical problems afflicting him/her is not available in Kasaragod. Amid rising number of Covid-19 patients in India, the Supreme Court on Friday asked Karnataka and Kerala to amicably sort out their differences with the help of the Centre on sealing of borders. — TNS