The People’s Democratic Front (PDF) has petitioned Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to take immediate action on several supposed drawbacks and defects related to the Covid-19 situation in the state.
PDF president and cabinet minister, Banteidor Lyngdoh, said that the party has received several complaints regarding the inaccuracy of the oximeters which are being provided to the coronavirus patients as part of the home isolation kit.
He said that the CM should advise the Health Department to replace the product. Oximeters measure the body’s oxygen saturation; those with low oxygen levels should receive immediate medical aid.
Meanwhile, stating that many villages across the state have set up Covid-19 isolation centres to accommodate positive individuals, Lyngdoh said that the party believes that financial assistance should be provided to the communities running such centres to meet basic expenses.
He also said that the Health Department should provide proper training and PPE kits for the Covid-19 team and volunteers and set up a Corona Care Centre in every block. “This will help government hospitals to control overloading of work and will also help the poor who might have difficulty to get treatment in private hospitals due to financial constraint,” Lyngdoh said.
The Health Department also needs to work more on communication with the public, especially those living in rural areas, with regards to coping with, treating and recovering from Covid-19.
Other issues raised included a request for the government to take steps to restore confidence in the public regarding the safety of visiting hospitals for non-Covid reasons in order to prevent loss of life and serious illness due to non-Covid causes as well as the payment of grassroots health workers’ (ASHAs’) monthly incentives (which have not been paid since December 2020).
