Avail free COVID-19 treatment, don't fear costs: Maha minister

Latur, Apr 26 () The Maharashtra government hasdecided to make coronavirus tests and treatment in medical anddental colleges under the state's Medical Education Departmentfree and people should not avoid treatment thinking about highcosts, Minister Amit Deshmukh said on Sunday.

Deshmukh, guardian minister of Latur district, saidthe decision was taken as Maharashtra has the highest numberof COVID-19 cases in the country.

"The state government has taken a very significantdecision and the people should come forward. They should nothide symptoms or avoid getting tested thinking about the highcosts of treatment. This decision will help contain the spreadof the virus," the Medical Education minister said.

Late last month, state Health Minister Rajesh Tope hadsaid COVID-19 patients would be treated free of cost under thestate government's Mahatma Jyotiba Phule scheme.

Tope had said 1,000 hospitals would be empaneled underthe scheme for this. CORBNM BNM