Ensure proper medical care at quarantine centres, SUPH urges govt

GUWAHATI: Sur U Paidbah Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep (SUPH), a local organisation of Meghalaya, has requested the state government to ensure proper medical attendance to people at the quarantine centres.

Referring to an incident at Mawryngkneng last Monday where a person under community quarantine was allegedly denied medical attendance, the organisation submitted a representation to chief minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday, urging the authorities not to deny medical attendance to people at such centres.

“However, the Sordar of Mawryngkneng, after initiating communication with the district health and medical officer, resolved the matter and the patient was shifted to Civil Hospital by a 108 ambulance. We also request you to ensure necessary equipment such as PPE for the medical teams at the centres,” the SUPH stated in the representation to the chief minister.

SUPH spokesperson, Thomas Passah said that the organisation had earlier expressed its reservations against home quarantine, and that facility quarantine was the best option to prevent spread of coronavirus in the state.

The organisation also urged the state government to allow farmers to harvest their crop every single day during this peak season and take their produce straight to the markets for sale.

“During this lockdown period, farmers are being pushed to the edge, wherein they had to bear loss due to mismatch in the days allowed for wholesale (as notified by the government) and the days to harvest the vegetation. It has to be noted that majority of the farmers availed bank loans,” it stated.

“Besides, as notified by the government, the authorised public vehicles (taxis) are allowed to ferry only three persons. Limiting the number of passengers will affect the local taxi drivers economically. Therefore, it may be suggested that a reasonable increase in the fares of passengers be considered so that the welfare of our drivers are also taken care of,” the representation read.

“Limiting the number of city buses to ferry government employees back home has led to violation of social distancing protocols, as employees have to rush to board the buses. At the same time, the seating capacity as prescribed, is being violated openly,” it added.