Civil society group Thma U Rangli-Juki (TUR) shot off an urgent complaint to East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Isawanda Laloo today about the apparent lack of transport for healthcare workers during the lockdown in the district.
“It has come to our notice that healthcare workers are experiencing great difficulty commuting to work and back,” TUR leader Angela Rangad said. “Limited and non-existent public transport has meant they walk to work and back home tired after long stressful hours of work which includes Covid-related duties.”
Rain or shine, these healthcare workers are having to trudge for up to several kilometres both ways. Healthcare workers are at particular risk of contracting Covid-19 from their patients; according to the government’s own figures, 22 in East Khasi Hills have tested positive for the disease in the last two days alone.
“It will be insensitive and inept to expect them to organise their own transport and that passes will be facilitated by the district administration. Suggesting that they book vehicles will further add to their financial woes and is not an easy proposition, especially for healthcare workers at this time of a pandemic. Hence, it would be best if the state government organises a carpooling system and coordinates timings and points for pickup and drop off or alternatively ensure that the private hospitals take care of their staff and at least ensure transportation for them,” Rangad stated.