Daily US Times, Madrid: The Spanish government has nationalized all of the country’s healthcare and hospitals in the latest move to combat the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.
On Monday, Ministry of Health announced it would put all of Spain’s private health providers and their facilities into public control as the spread of COVID-19 continues to grip the country.
The Guardian reported that health minister Salvador Illa announced the measure.
The minister also said fourth-year medical students in Spain would be asked to help the country’s health service, while companies capable of producing medical equipment should get in touch with the government.
Spain is one of the worst affected countries in Europe. The Spanish government has taken a number of extraordinary steps in an attempt to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
Last week, the government declared a state of national emergency, banning all kinds of public gatherings, closing schools and telling citizens they can leave the house only to go to work and buy essentials like food and medicine.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said, “The government of Spain will protect all its citizens and will guarantee the right life conditions to slow the pandemic with as little inconvenience as possible.”
Capital Madrid has also closed bars, restaurants, and shops – except for pharmacies and supermarkets.
All cultural centers, museums, and sports venues will be closed. Restaurants and cafes may only do home deliveries.
Schools are already closed in the country and essential services like banks and petrol stations will remain open.
On Saturday, the Prime Minister urged for unity, calling on all regions to put ideological differences aside and put citizens first.
Police and other authorities are using drones to monitor the movements of its citizens.
As of Monday, there have been reported 309 deaths with 9,191 confirmed cases in Spain.
