<p>Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Friday said the state government is considering to provide insurance cover to the medical staff treating COVID-19 patients in the state.</p>.<p>In a Facebook live, Tope said apart from the insurance cover, the government also plans to give monetary incentive to the staff.</p>.<p>"These medical workers have risked their lives to treat the patients," he said.</p>.<p>Tope appealed to the private doctors, who have stopped their medical practice due to the coronavirus scare, to remain operational for treatment of people.</p>.<p>"OPD, emergency medical services have been stopped... This is not right. There are other illnesses apart from COVID-19. Where will people go for deliveries or if someone suffers a heart attack?" he asked.</p>.<p>Medicine is a noble profession and doctors should not stop their medical practice, he said.</p>.<p>"Don't show insensitivity in times of crisis," Tope told the private medical practitioners.</p>.<p>He said the number of coronavirus positive patients in the state is now 135.</p>.<p>"A total of 4,228 people were tested, of whom the reports of 4,017 patients tested negative. So far, 19 patients have been discharged," he added.</p>.<p>Tope said as international flights have been suspended, the spread of coronavirus from such travellers has stopped.</p>.<p>"Now, the spread from positive patients needs to be tackled," he said.</p>.<p>"The focus is now on three Ts - tracing, testing and treatment," Tope said.</p>.<p>He also appealed to people to donate blood.</p>.<p>"Blood supply is required not just for coronavirus patients, but also to people with other illnesses," he said. </p>
<p>Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Friday said the state government is considering to provide insurance cover to the medical staff treating COVID-19 patients in the state.</p>.<p>In a Facebook live, Tope said apart from the insurance cover, the government also plans to give monetary incentive to the staff.</p>.<p>"These medical workers have risked their lives to treat the patients," he said.</p>.<p>Tope appealed to the private doctors, who have stopped their medical practice due to the coronavirus scare, to remain operational for treatment of people.</p>.<p>"OPD, emergency medical services have been stopped... This is not right. There are other illnesses apart from COVID-19. Where will people go for deliveries or if someone suffers a heart attack?" he asked.</p>.<p>Medicine is a noble profession and doctors should not stop their medical practice, he said.</p>.<p>"Don't show insensitivity in times of crisis," Tope told the private medical practitioners.</p>.<p>He said the number of coronavirus positive patients in the state is now 135.</p>.<p>"A total of 4,228 people were tested, of whom the reports of 4,017 patients tested negative. So far, 19 patients have been discharged," he added.</p>.<p>Tope said as international flights have been suspended, the spread of coronavirus from such travellers has stopped.</p>.<p>"Now, the spread from positive patients needs to be tackled," he said.</p>.<p>"The focus is now on three Ts - tracing, testing and treatment," Tope said.</p>.<p>He also appealed to people to donate blood.</p>.<p>"Blood supply is required not just for coronavirus patients, but also to people with other illnesses," he said. </p>