PTFC-19 rues Government's lack of commitment
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 29 2020: People Task Force for COVID-19 (PTFC-19) has resented the Government's irresponsible attitude in the fight against COVID-19 which is seemingly going out of hand with each passing day.

PTFC-19 in a statement, expressed concern over the staggering rise in COVID-19 cases in the State and the number of deaths due to the contagion and said that the act of the State Government is very disappointing and such an ill response will put lakhs of lives in jeopardy.

Highlighting that there is acute shortage of beds in ICU facilities of Government run hospitals (JNIMS and RIMS), PTFC-19 condemned Government's lack of interest in the matter and said that the Government act implies that the matter of life or death has been solely left to the fate of those infected.

Due to shortage, many patients who are in need of extra care are left helpless, PTFC-19 said while adding that if the issue is not mended when there is time, the situation may explode and Manipur may become the worst hit State in India.

It is learnt that the committee formed under State Health Department to manage admission and bed arrangement for COVID-19 infected persons have been not been providing bed despite repeated request by many on the pretext that there is no vacant bed, said PTFC-19 while saying that the act of committee officials are highly irresponsible and condemnable in the strongest term.

It also showed hollowness in Government' plan and lack of commitment, it continued.

Above these the Government is not working sincerely to implement the SOP guidelines issued as it has forgotten contact tracing of COVID-19 positive persons, effective sealing of the containment area and other measures, said PTFC while questioning Government's stand on the issue.

The apparent inactions from DCs, CMOs even when there is a death case being recorded at private hospital calls for swift action, PTFC-19 said while adding that it will initiate strong actions against all concerned if no appropriate measures are taken up.

The COVID-19 positive cases has already crossed 10,000 mark and there are currently more than 2500 active cases but sadly there are only 194 beds for accommodation of COVID-19 patients at RIMS and JNIMS, said PTFC while demanding the authority concerned to immediately augment the capacity to effectively deal with the shortage of beds since the number of serious cases and patients with co-morbid health conditions are rising rapidly.

While pointing out that even Ministers are flouting SOP openly and attending mass gatherings in the wake of the looming by-polls, PTFC-19 also urged the State Government to pay heed to critical health issues the State is currently facing.

PTFC-19, in its statement, further informed that the task force is continuing its campaign to raise awareness on COVID-19 among the public.

The awareness drive is conducted in association with Indian Red Cross Society, Manipur State Branch; Indian Medical Assocation and Association for Health Care Providers of India.

As a part of its campaign, awareness programmes were held at Pukhao Ahallup and Pukhao Terapur areas along with local organisation, it said while adding that resource persons and health professionals elucidated on the disease and ways to keep the virus at bay and maintain safety habits.

A similar campaign to spread awareness among vegetable vendors was also held in front of Uripok Cheirap Court today, it continued.

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