Give a thought for other patients too: Student bodies
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 05 2020: Taking into account the current scenario of the health service system in the State, student bodies have expressed apprehension that many people would die not due to COVID-19 but due to other ailments.

A joint statement issued by AMSU, ATSUM, ANSAM, KSO-GHQ, MSF, DESAM, KSA, SUK and AIMS said that the State is going through a critical phase as community spread is at the doorstep.

Yet denial of treatments to people suffering from other ailments during such a period by Government and private healthcare facilities is an extremely unfortunate and inhuman approach, said the student bodies.

What is more disheartening is that people seeking emergency treatments in case of accidents, delivery, cardiac arrest etc.

are forced to undergo COVID-19 test before which they are entitled to get treatments thereby leaving them in critical conditions, it said.

Moreover, the lockdown induced by the COVID-19 pandemic has also hindered the movements of many people from far-flung villages who are in dire need of medical attention.

The State has even witnessed the death of a woman during child delivery at home, it said.

Considering the nature of the cases and taking note of hardships faced by those who hail from places bereft of proper medical facilities, the State Government and hospital authorities alike, should work out a policy to ensure these people get necessary and timely treatments, the student bodies appealed.

COVID-19 victims and patients should not be stigmatized and discriminated, the statement continued while adding that such stigmatization and discrimination could further aggravate the situation and lead to community transmission.

Acknowledging the role of frontline warriors, the student bodies also appealed to Government to encourage these warriors with special rewards, incentives and schemes.

While appealing all to shun installation of fences at places which could disrupt and hinder movements of emergency services, the bodies also appealed all to strictly obey safety guidelines issued by health authorities.

The student bodies went on to appeal to the Government to make separate arrangement for cremation and burial of COVID -19 victims and asked the public to co-operate with the authority.

Calling for a collective effort in the fight against the contagion, the student bodies also drew the attention of the Government to ensure safety gears and equipment used by frontline warriors are disposed of well.

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