Give free treatment to Covid patients: MPCC
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 27 2021: Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has urged the State Government to provide free treatment to Covid patients and compensate the kin of those killed by the disease.

Addressing the media through video conference, MPCC spokesperson Ningombam Bupenda Meitei said the need of the hour amid the second wave of the Covid pandemic is increasing vaccination of the age group 18-44 years and providing free treatment to the patients.

The Government should strictly regulate the price of Covid tests at private hospitals and launch a live tracking system of medical oxygen.

Reacting to a recent statement of Lok Sabha BJP MP Dr RK Ranjan that "Congress was not seen in the fight against Covid pandemic", N Bupenda said it is the Constitutional obligation of the BJP-led Government in the State to proactively fight the pandemic along with all the stakeholders including the Opposition.

The Government should also listen to the Opposition to successfully fight Covid, he said adding Congress is actively facing the pandemic.

Congress is never for cheap publicity and it believes in giving constructive criticism and practical suggestions.

This was clearly shown in the MPCC president K Govindas' letter to Prime Minister Modi regarding Covid recently.

He said "BJP Government's lies is further exposed by the recent inauguration of the building--which was constructed as TB (Tuberculosis) Hospital during the previous Congress Government--as Covid hospital, while the Government should have honestly dedicated the TB Hospital to the people in such a way that the TB Hospital's infrastructure could be used temporarily for treating Covid patients during the pandemic".

He further asserted that it is not clear if the inaugurated facility is a Covid Care Centre or a Dedicated Covid Hospital.

Laying down a series of demands, the MPCC spokesperson also raised several questions to the Government.

The Government must make Covid treatment free.

The recent Government order capping the costs of treatment in private hospitals will not be able to give dignity of life to the poor and the needy during a war like situation in Covid pandemic.

"Will the BJP-led Government allow one individual to use the benefits of both PMJAY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana) and CMHT (Chief Ministergi Hakshelgi Tengbang)?" he asked.

Is Rs 2 lakh under CMHT or Rs 5 lakh enough to bear the entire costs of treatment in a family of 2 or more Covid patients in one year? Who will bear the costs of Covid treatment for the poor in private hospitals when the costs exceed the financial assistance under the PMJAY and CMHT? How many beneficiaries have been treated for Covid under PMJAY & CMHT in the first wave of Covid pandemic in the State? The MPCC spokesperson further asked the Government, why is the cost of PPE kits being charged separately and not included in the treatment.

Why are the poor being forced to buy Remdesivir at Rs 3,400 when the poor can't earn even Rs 1000 in a month during lockdown like restrictions in Manipur? The State Government should give compensation for all the Covid deaths.

The Government should give 'universal Covid death certificates' in which the cause of the death must include 'COVID-19' so that the kin of the deceased persons can receive compensation.

"Under Section 12(iii) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, every family whose member died due to disaster is entitled to ex-gratia compensation of Rs 4 lakh.

And, the Ministry of Home Affairs, keeping in mind Section 12 (iii) of the Act has issued an order April 8, 2015, by which a revised list of norms and assistance from the State Disaster Response Fund and National Disaster Response Fund was given.

Since COVID-19 has been declared as a disaster and as per the order dated April 8, 2015, every family whose member dies due to disaster is entitled for ex-gratia compensation of Rs 4 lakh," Bupenda said.

"Will the BJP-led Government in Manipur wait for Supreme Court orders for the compensation of the Covid deaths? Is the BJP Government prepared to buy vaccine doses on its own under the Modi Government's liberal policy on vaccines? Or, is the Government going to rely only on the vaccine doses allocated by the Central Government"? Union Minister of DoNER, Dr Jitendra had an urgent meeting with all the Health Secretaries of the 8 North East States of India, as reported by PIB on May 25.In the meeting, the Minister referred to support given by Japan and UNDP for installation of Oxygen plants in each of the 8 North East States, he said and raised several questions--"When will the BJP Government share to the people of Manipur, the support given by Japan & UNDP for installing oxygen plants in Manipur? How many oxygen plants will be installed by Japan in Manipur? How many oxygen plants will be installed by UNDP in Manipur"? Further, many District Hospitals, which are equipped with ICUs and ventilators, are not functioning due to lack of staff or absence of staff.

When will the ICU facilities with ventilators in District Hospitals become functional to treat Covid patients, further asked MPCC.

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