Make State policy to fight COVID-19, say student bodies
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 18 2020: Six student bodies have joined hands demanding the State Government to come out with a comprehensive policy for effective combat against the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic.

The demand was raised by DESAM's president Nameirakpam Edison on behalf of six student bodies namely, DESAM, AMSU, MSF, KSA, SUK and AIMS, during a press meet held this evening at DESAM's head office at Kwakeithel.

The State Government should formulate a new and dedicated policy to fight COVID-19 and curb the further transmission of the virus, he said while urging the Government to appoint a capable Health and Family Welfare Minister.

The Chief Minister or the Health Minister, along with responsible officials and experts, should brief the press at least thrice a week about the developments relating to COVID-19 for public awareness, he said.

Urging the State Government to open a dedicated hospital having not less than 500 beds within a week, Edison also suggested that the State should have not less than 200 ventilators and proper ICU facilities for the severely infected patients.

He further stated that the State Government sould convert either of RIMS or JNIMS into a non COVID-19 hospital.

Considering the rise in the number of cases and workload of the doctors, he said that the State Govermnnt and authorities concerned should recruit at least 100 doctors and 1000 nurses.

The Government should make sure that all infected persons get counselling from psychiatrists, he said and urged to train Government teachers serving in schools, colleges and universities under Disaster Management Act to augment the strength of counsellors and effectively raise awareness about the disease.

While expressing the need for formation of COVID-19 Task Force at every localities, he also appealed the Government to make public the position of funds allocated for combating the disease.

If the fund falls short, the Government should not hesitate in seeking help from the people, he continued.

He also urged the State Government to make sure there is no administrative friction between the doctors and the administrative officials which may reduce the efficiency of the doctors in the frontline.

A memorandum relating to the said demands will be submitted to the Chief Minister tomorrow, he continued.

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