Editor,
Today, where the whole world is grappled and crippled by the coronavirus or the infamous ‘Covid-19’ virus, we can see the important role healthcare and healthcare workers play in society. They are the first line of defense in the system and that is why we call them ‘frontline workers’ or ‘frontline warriors.’ Medical professionals who include our doctors and nurses have been working tirelessly day and night, sacrificing countless nights of sleep only to make sure that those who have been affected by the virus will be catered to. They put their lives at risk and in danger of exposure to the virus; they have shown empathy and kindness and have even broken down at the helpless situation we all are in at the moment. Painstakingly, they also do not get to see their loved ones, only because they cannot put their families and loved ones in the line of danger.
Meghalaya is currently facing the wrath of the Covid-19 virus, the strain of which is spreading at such an exorbitant rate that it is not less than 500 cases and not less than ten deaths we come across every single day. The news is grim for us as citizens for we know that we are a small State who do not have much in terms of finance or healthcare.
With the number of active cases seeing a sharp increase every day, we can also see the healthcare system exhausting itself. It is indeed overwhelming for our doctors and nurses to have to be on their feet 24×7 catering to Covid positive patients, wearing a PPE suit for almost the entire day especially in a hot, humid climate like ours. Putting their lives in danger, losing out on precious sleep and family time only because for them, their patients’ life is worth much more and the worst happens when a patient loses his/her fight for dear life.
However, what is worrisome is how I have come to hear from friends and relatives alike that healthcare workers are not being taken care of, that they are also rather being sent home after hours instead of being provided with a place to stay so they do not expose their families to the virus.
It is also alarming that the Health Department favours sending Covid positive persons home for confinement or rather isolation than keeping them in Corona Care Centres under observation. Does it not bother them that such patients could be a danger to their families and loved ones even if placed under home isolation? As we all know many people live in rented houses with very minimal space and rooms. There may be a slight chance for the virus to spread, given the ability of it being ‘air-borne’ and a ‘super-spreader’.
Healthcare in Meghalaya has always been grim and has not seen much of the light of day. With the Covid-19 not releasing its hold from us anytime soon, our hospitals and healthcare workers are at the brink of exhaustion. With the intervention of the Chief Minister, we are now able to have oxygen plants being set up in various parts of the State which will definitely boost and cater to the much needed oxygen supply for hospitals in the State.
Sadly, in all of this however we do not see the participation of the Health Minister who is mostly absent or invisible, which has also been highlighted in social media as well by many concerned citizens. In every visit that the Chief Minister goes to, whether it is related to the setting up of oxygen plants or reviewing the Covid status in hospitals, the Health Minister is nowhere to be seen. I cannot help but applaud the Health Minister of our neighbouring state of Assam who is seen in every press briefing and is moving around taking stock of the situation.
At this hour, the citizens, frontline workers especially healthcare workers and even the Covid patients would get a boost if they get frequent visits or even see the Health Minister taking stock of the situation rather than everyday seeing the Director of Health Services or even the Chief Minister for that matter.
