Govindas airs state's Covid woes to PM
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 12 2021: Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Govindas Konthoujam has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggesting three points that will contain the worsening Covid-19 situation in the state.

The letter also strongly urged the PM to consider the suggestions and make swift intervention to save the people of Manipur while alleging that the state government has completely failed in saving lives of the people from Covid-19 pandemic.

In a letter dated May 12, MPCC president Govindas suggested that firstly a 1000-bedded Covid hospital built by Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Army be immediately established to combat the second wave in the state.

Secondly, the centre should provide assistance with strict instructions under the PMO to fully equip all the district hospitals with a minimum of 100 beds each immediately to fight the second wave in the state.

And thirdly, there should be free vaccination for all, including those between 18 and 45 years, with the said vaccination process expedited on war footing and assurance from the Union government of regular supply of vaccine in the state, he stated.

The MPCC president also stated that he is deeply moved by the daily mortality and positivity rates due to the second wave of Covid pandemic in Manipur and referred to the recent Press Information Bureau release, dated May 9 issued by Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to point out that Manipur has higher Covid deaths per million than the numbers of bigger states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Telangana.

"Consequently, I am seriously concerned about the preparedness of Manipur government to tackle the third wave, which was stated to be inevitable by your Principal Scientific Advisor recently on media," he said.

Govindas pointed out that it is a matter of unfortunate tragic handling of the present Covid crisis in the state by the chief minister, who is also the health minister, and who even has conveniently forgotten his own physical inspection of land and public assurance of building a 200-bedded Emergency Covid Hospital at Langthabal, Imphal on March 30, 2020 to fight the first wave in the state.

Had the emergency hospital for Covid-19 been built, today's surge in mortality and infections due to Covid would have been much lower and slower in the state, he noted.

The Congress leader further conveyed that the district hospitals in each district of the state are not adequately equipped with ICU, ventilators, oxygen and requisite equipment and they are short of doctors, nurses and staff.

As a result, there is a genuine fear of chaotic situations in the rural and hill districts of the state.

"I am confident that your office and Government of India will swiftly and efficiently take all scientifically, technologically, financially and administratively possible measures to stop the high infections and rapid mortality due to Covid in the state and also proactively prepare for the third wave," he said.

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