The state government’s move to permit home isolation of Covid-19 patients has led to the explosion in deaths from the disease, the opposition Congress Party said today.
The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) held a virtual meeting today while reviewing the Covid situation in the state and the performance of the government in tackling the pandemic. Its members expressed concern about the alarming number of deaths in Meghalaya and the Shillong city in particular.
The CLP attributed this primarily to the government’s decision to allow home isolation and inadequacies in the health service.
“The government is not prepared with adequate infrastructure to provide support for critical Covid cases, like oxygen, intensive care units (ICUs) and trained manpower to operate ventilators,” the CLP opined.
The party said that there is delay in setting up Corona Care Centres (CCCs) and fully-equipped hospitals.
The Congress also expressed concern over the neglect of the government towards Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), who are the first line of contact in the pandemic but have not been paid their dues and incentives.
The opposition also said that the government’s recent decision to provide ex-gratia payments of Rs 50,000 to the families of those who die due to Covid-19 is inadequate.
“The CLP feels that since this pandemic is a national disaster, the state government should treat every death of a Covid patient as part of the disaster and hence provide the ex-gratia as per the provisions of the law duly notified under the National Disaster Management Act,” it said.
The Congress’ other demands included enhanced support for Community CCCs and ramping up of healthcare facilities and manpower outside East Khasi Hills and West Garo Hills.
