A shortage of nurses has been complained of by about 20% of local municipalities that will prepare dedicated facilities for vaccinations against the new coronavirus, a survey by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry found Friday.
The ministry earlier this month revised a government ordinance under the worker dispatch law, partially lifting a ban on the dispatch of nurses to medical institutions, including specially set up sites. The lifting of the ban applied to "outlying regions." But the ministry on Friday proposed to the Labor Policy Council, an advisory panel to the minister, that the ban should also be lifted in other areas.
As of March 25, the ministry had surveyed 1,391 local municipalities that plan to set up special facilities for vaccination at public places such as schools and community centers, as to the availability of nurses. Of those municipalities, 23.4% of the 859 in outlying regions and 21.8% of the 532 in other areas responded that they face a shortage of nurses.
To swiftly move ahead with vaccinations against COVID-19, the ministry treats specially established facilities as "medical offices" under the Medical Care Law. However, under the previous rule, the dispatch of nurses to medical institutions was prohibited, in principle, making it impossible to have nurses dispatched to specially set-up sites. Local governments' only option was to hire nurses directly.
As of April 1, the ministry lifted the ban on the dispatch of nurses to medical institutions in outlying regions. But such entities as the National Governors' Association have called for lifting the ban on the dispatch to other places, as well.
The ministry aims to lift the ban across all regions in light of the discussion to be held by the council, which includes representatives of labor and management.
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