Joykisan urges Govt to review home isolation policy
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 30 2021: Stating that the detection of over 1000-plus Covid-19 positive cases a day in a small state like Manipur whose population is only around 30 lakh is deeply worrisome, Thangmeiband AC MLA Kh Joykisan has stressed the need for closely examining the reason for the rising number of cases despite the imposition of a curfew and mandate for wearing of masks.

In a video recording released to the press on Sunday, Joykisan said that the detection of over 1000 positive case on Saturday and deaths of scores of Covid-19 patients on a daily basis is alarming.

This is an emergency like situation and it would be wise on the part of the state government to review its current policies on the matter, as the present situation is reflecting poorly on the efforts undertaken by the government, he remarked.

The Congress MLA continued that the number of positive cases shot up after the government launched a mass aggressive testing in Imphal West district, which, according to experts, indicates that there is something wrong.

Patients who are confirmed positive through RAT testing are confirmed so after detection of high viral count in their blood.

However, those who have tested negative by RAT often test positive when tested RTPCR or Truenat, but not before mingling with people and further spreading the virus.

Additionally, the government failed to ascertain the living conditions of those opting to isolate at home, he commented.

As such, the government needs to review its policies regarding home isolation, especially for those "forcefully" staying at home despite concerns of the locality, families and relatives.

This could be practically considered as the government's fault, as this is one the biggest factors behind the rising number of cases and deaths on daily basis, the MLA contended.

"The governments of Maharashtra and Meghalaya have issued orders against home isolation, while the number of cases in Delhi dipped below 1000 on Saturday.

However, the same cannot be said for the small state of Manipur which has left the people concerned and restless.

It has also raised suspicions if certain business minded people are the ones advising the government purely for their own benefits.

Presently, there is almost no one in the state who is not wearing masks or social distancing", Joykisan said and urged other MLAs and ministers to guest functions through video conferencing, so as to set an example for their constituents to follow the SOPs and help curb the spread of the virus.

Questioning why the government is reluctant on opening Covid Care Centres this time compared to the first wave, the MLA wondered if the government is trying to shift its responsibility to the citizens.

"If we are not careful, Manipur could be totally wipe out", he said and urged the government to try preventing home isolations as much as possible, while making all going through RTPCR or Truenat test instead.

Commenting on the extension of the curfew till June 11, Joykisan observed some lax attitude on the part of the government with regard to the guidelines, especially with the skyrocketing cases and deaths.

"No one wants to lose their love ones.

The government should stop blaming the citizens and start fulfilling its duty to save the people.

It needs to be ascertained how many days does it take for a patient to get admitted to a hospital, not to mention the days taken to get an ICU bed.

Also, many patients are forced to take the floor due to shortage of beds.

It is the responsibility of the government to ensure a patient is properly admitted to the hospital and he/she receives the care that he/she deserves.

It is wrong to shift that blame to patients claiming that they were brought to the hospital late", he said, adding that government should stop lashing out at the public.

"On the other hand, government should look into private hospitals which are not following the orders of the government while being profit-minded.

Hospital owners too, should be empathetic of the people's suffering.

The government could also bear the extra charges of Covid patients", Joykisan contended, while recounting that he had suggested convening a session of the House to formulate the rules and regulations in this regard.

However, the government, for reasons best known to it, has refused to even entertain the suggestion, the MLA remarked.

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