The Turkish authorities have issued a Communique classifying pandemics as ‘emergency situations.’ It has been published in the Official Gazette. The Communique says emergency situations include incidents which require medical responses within the first 24 hours after a sudden illness, accident, traumatisation or similar situations and where urgent medical intervention cannot be carried out or where life and/or the entirety of life is at risk of losing in the event of referral to another health institution and diagnoses and treatments regarding the pandemic during the pandemic. The Communique also authorises the use of immune plasma therapy as a treatment for Coronavirus patients. It means private hospitals will also not be able to demand fees for medical examination or additional costs. Patients who are being treated for Coronavirus will be able to receive medication at hospitals. Full story
