Accord importance to all constructive proposals
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: May 18, 2021 -

REGARDLESS of the constant upsurge in daily positive cases overwhelming both public and private hospitals in the state in addition to the serious need of regularly replenishing the stock of medical oxygen, there have been encouraging signs of late of individuals and local bodies joining in the effort of fighting the coronavirus pandemic in the form of providing medical equipment to healthcare centres and distributing essential items to families living in containment zones.

Distribution of edibles to virus-affected people might have been comparatively intense and extensive in the first wave than in the current wave of the pandemic as people are aware that the chance of contracting the disease is very high this time around.

However, generous citizens and organisations have been coming out of their comfort zone to extend help to people in distress, which is indeed the need of the hour.

Proposals by representatives of Singjamei assembly constituency Y Khemchand and Thangmeiband's Kh Joykisan for utilisation of certain percentage of the Local Area Development Fund in the fight against the pandemic also underscore unavoidable financial involvement towards ensuring that the existing healthcare facilities have lifesaving medicines and equipment to prevent the pandemic from wreaking further havoc.

Amid ongoing efforts of the government to activate the planned oxygen production units in different hospitals, it is also heartening that after some individuals and CSOs based in Ukhrul district pooled money to purchase medical kits, Sagolband MLA RK Imo donated five portable ventilators for use in the JNIMS ICU and child climate activist Licypriya Kangujam provided oxygen concentrators to some Covid-19 patients.

All such noble endeavours at the individual and community level are indeed commendable at this critical juncture as the pandemic needs to be fought jointly rather than waiting for the government authorities to act.

On its part the government should not only draw up plans to face any worst-case scenario but also acknowledge constructive suggestions shared by all concerned.

For instance, the multi-pronged strategies proposed on Sunday by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Manipur State Branch should be accorded importance as this crisis situation merits pro-active involvement of in-service or retired medical practitioners rather than leave it to the bureaucrats to devise strategies for fighting the invisible foe.

Among others, the IMA's suggestion that there should be mandatory Covid-19 testing of all passengers on arrival at Imphal airport and other entry points either by RAT/RT-PCR or rigorous checking of RT-PCR test results that the passengers produce on arrival by verifying the same with ICMR's SRF number cannot be brushed aside for migrant workers, personnel of central forces and natives with travel history regularly figuring among the Covid-19 infected persons testifies that spread of the disease is not only due to local transmission.

The doctors' body advocating common SOP for admission and treatment of all Covid-19 patients for both private and government hospitals to rationalise admission, judicious treatment and optimising the limited resources, conversion of some hotels into paid Covid care centres for wealthier patients with mild symptoms, strengthening of infrastructure of peripheral health centres like CHCs and DHs, and stringent enforcing of guidelines for home isolation and community home isolation centres must be endorsed by the government.