CLK cautions against easing curbs sans genome sequencing
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 28 2021: Stressing the need for identifying the variants of Covid-19 virus prevalent in the state with further genome sequencing in order to effectively fight the pandemic, Chanura Lamchinglen Kangleipak (CLK) has cautioned the government against its plan for partial relaxation of the restrictions imposed to curb the pandemic.

In a statement, CLK maintained that the state is facing the heat of the pandemic right now and there is no sign of the situation subsiding any time soon.

Manipur is the second most affected state after Assam in the entire northeast.

There are reports of non-availability of beds and lack of compassionate treatment on the part of the healthcare professionals.

The second wave of Covid-19 in the country is said to be driven by the Delta variant of the virus and a new variant called Delta Plus is being categorised as variant of concern.

Based on the latest findings, Maharashtra, which is witnessing highest number of infections by the latest variant, has taken up strategies to fight the next wave.

On the other hand, the state government has already acknowledged presence of Delta variant in the state but no further information is shared to the public since then.

Considering the way the pandemic is spreading in the state, the government should take up effective measures for genome sequencing and make changes in the current strategy to fight the pandemic effectively.

It would be unwise for the government to lift the restrictions without taking up such measures, the statement said.

Developed states of the country, which have adequate healthcare infrastructure, are facing difficulties in fighting the pandemic.

However, the state government is claiming that it is well prepared to fight the third wave though the strategies are no different from the steps adopted in the first wave, CLK said.

It further said that non-Covid patient services have almost stopped in RIMS and JNIMS hospitals due to the pandemic.

Private hospitals are providing services to only a handful of people.

As a result, poor people are living without much hope of getting timely treatment for non-Covid health issues.

Considering the hardships faced by the people, especially by those with non-Covid health issues, the government should make functional a Covid hospital before the arrival of the third wave, which is expected by October, and also recruit additional healthcare professionals, the statement demanded.

It also stated that the responsibility of fighting the pandemic does not lie only with the government but the public also have a key role to play in curbing the spread.

Ensuing adequate healthcare infrastructure is the responsibility of the government and following Covid relevant SOPs and maintaining Covid appropriate behaviour is the responsibility of the public, it added.

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