Meghalaya News

Names of corona patients can't be disclosed, says Health Minister AL Hek

The names of COVID-19 patients cannot be disclosed unless the patients themselves voluntarily come forward

Sentinel Digital Desk

A REPORTER

SHILLONG: The names of COVID-19 patients cannot be disclosed unless the patients themselves voluntarily come forward and agree to disclose their names, said Meghalaya Health Minister AL Hek. "This matter was brought up for discussion in two review meetings. We cannot disclose their names unless the patient wants to do so," Hek said while speaking to The Sentinel.

Earlier, lone KHNAM MLA Adelbert Nongrum form North Shillong constituency, has urged the government to disclose the names of the COVID-19 patients which will, in a way, help those people who have had contact with the patient to immediately take necessary action and not wait for contact tracing so as to contain the spread of the virus. The Minister said that unless the patient is unwilling to give out their names, the government cannot do anything about it.