Difficult times for non-Covid patients
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: May 10, 2021 -

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to affect different sections of the society, the poor in particular, it's not surprising there has been serious aspersions cast on the Union and state governments by national and international organisations, and in the Manipur's context student organisations and civil society bodies are taking up the cudgel to ensure that the suffering public do not endure unwarranted hardships.

Contrary to peak period of the first wave of the pandemic marked by government authorities citing public complacency as the prime reason for spread of Covid-19 cases, the narrative over the virulent second wave is centred on allegations that the government didn't capitalise on the opportunity to effectively curb the contagion when the daily rates of infection stabilised.

Amid no sign of the second wave abating it seems that not only are the government authorities running out of ideas on how best to tackle the pandemic and shield the public but lack of purported foresight to curb spread of the infectious disease is also being exposed.

Apart from the editorial of Lancet, considered the world's most renowned medical journal, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government of attempting to stifle criticism and open discussion over the health crisis gripping the country, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) holding the Union Health Ministry accountable for the devastation arising out of the pandemic underscore that the government's efforts have not been impressive to many.

Moreover, observation by both Lancet and IMA that imposition of a nationwide lockdown would have been much more effective in controlling the situation has been more or less validated as many states and union territories have ceased normal chores and confined the citizens indoors.

Among other lapses, the IMA expressing remorse over its recommendation for "complete, well-planned pre-announced national lockdown rather than few states declaring lockdown ranging for 10 days to 15 days - so as to getting breathing time for the health care infrastructure to recoup and replenish both the material and manpower" not generating any response from the Union government should be worrisome for all as the observation of the doctors' body ought to be accorded importance when the nation faces crisis situation.

Interestingly, the Union government had contended that the lockdown imposed in the early stages of pandemic's outbreak cut the chain of transmission of the virus. Thus, it is but natural to suspect that the Centre's hesitancy to adopt the same policy when the pandemic situation is even more serious could be on the premise that the life of ordinary citizens is not precious enough than the economy.

Nevertheless, inspite of the evolving depressing situation, it is commendable that student organisations like AMSU, AIMS, DESAM, KSA, SUK and MSF do not subscribe to the concept that safety concerns of the people could be underrated.

There might not be any dramatic improvement in the service rendered to the patients in hospital set-up but the special team of the student organisations making spot assessment on efficiency in healthcare services provided to non-Covid patients, and inconveniences faced by the hospitals and patients during the current pandemic would definitely make the hospital administrators and personnel realise that they are under close and constant scrutiny.

As there are more general patients that the number of Covid patients, who need regular medical care, student organisations have a huge role to play in these challenging times to ensure that no hospital deny any citizen his/her right to medical attention.