A law to penalise hospitals that violate agreements with local governments to set aside beds for patients with the new coronavirus (Covid-19) and other infectious diseases while providing outpatient care was adopted by the Japanese Cabinet on Friday.
The measure also stipulates that those who enter Japan while harbouring a suspected infection and who failed to disclose their medical conditions when segregated will face fines.
Additionally, the state will have the authority to direct or order business owners to import or produce vaccines and other medical items like face masks and needles.
According to the official Japanese news agency Kyodo, Japan has been criticised for taking too long to ensure that its healthcare system is capable of effectively combating the coronavirus pandemic. The most recent bill is an attempt to allow central and local governments to respond to major outbreaks of infectious diseases more quickly.
Additionally, it trails other wealthy nations in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccinations.
The Infectious Diseases Act and other pertinent laws will be reviewed by the Japanese government during the current session of Parliament, and new legislation will begin to take effect in fiscal year 2024.
At a press conference this morning, Health Minister Katsunobu Kato stated: “We will be ready for the development and spread of infectious diseases that have the potential to seriously harm people’s lives and health.
”
Under the envisioned law, prefectural governments would sign agreements with major local medical institutions requiring them to prepare beds for patients when infection spreads at any time. If medical institutions fail to comply with prior arrangements, local governments will be able to issue guidelines and orders to compel them to comply and disclose the names of institutions if they still do not comply with the agreements. .
The proposed rule would require large local medical institutions to sign agreements with prefectural governments mandating them to have beds ready for patients whenever an infection spreads. Local governments will have the authority to make directives and orders to compel medical institutions to comply with past agreements if they don’t, and to reveal the identities of institutions if they still don’t.
About Author
