SHILLONG: The state government said that the desire of the medical practitioner from Germany to help the state to fight coronavirus will be examined by the government.
Dr. Marie Kerkloh and her husband who got stuck in the city following the nationwide lockdown, had written to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma informing him about their willingness to serve people in case of coronavirus outbreak in the state.
When contacted, the commissioner and secretary of health department, Sampath Kumar said though he has not seen the letter, the department would have to see in what capacity the German couple can help the state.
He also said many individuals and NGOs are coming forward to help the state government during the ongoing situation.
According to PTI report, Dr Kerkloh and her husband Benno were on a world tour on their bicycles, and they arrived at a village in West Khasi Hills district on March 2 to work as volunteers at a school run by an Australian couple. But it was shut down by the authorities due to COVID-19 outbreak in the country, they said.
“Since I had served as a doctor at a hospital in my country, I think it will be great to get to volunteer and help the people in this part of the world, in case of an outbreak here,” the agency quoted her as saying.
The doctor said she had written to the chief minister, adding that she is waiting for his response in this regard.
The doctor quit her job as she wanted to travel around the world. The couple started cycling from Germany in June last year and pedalled across Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine, Moldavia, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Pakistan, India and Nepal. They pedalled back to India after visiting Nepal. Dr. Kerkloh said she plans to go to more countries, explore and experience the different culture of the people living in those countries.
They are currently staying in an apartment here along with two other cyclists, who also got stuck due to the lockdown.
