SHILLONG: The members of the Meghalaya People’s Action Against COVID-19, while grieving the death of Dr. John Sailo Ryntathiang, the first victim of COVID-19 in the state, said that his demise has exposed many shortcomings in the state government’s strategy to deal with the pandemic.
In a letter to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and Health Minister AL Hek, the members said that people on the ground are panicking and “the scenario is now a war zone, therefore, the response should not be bureaucratic-centric but on the lines of a scientific and expertise-based fight”.
In this regard, the group suggested that an “Experts Advisory Committee” comprising scientists should be constituted. The committee can consist of available researchers in NEHU, School of Life Sciences, Shillong, specialist in the field of virology, epidemics, cardiology, pulmonary ailments, psychology and psychiatry, economics, sociology, law, etc, the letter said.
It also advised that a letter should be written to ICMR requesting whether or not they can come up with a laboratory in the quickest time possible in case the situation gets prolonged and we are drawn into a protracted engagement with COVID-19.
While expressing shock over non-availability of extra testing centres in the state except NEIGRIHMS, it advised the stat government to purchase more testing kits and recruit more research students who have experience in real-time PCR and knowledge of microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry and biotechnology.
It also said that the adequate number of ambulances should be made available to transport persons who had visited the Bethany Hospital with proper PPE for those on duty.
Emphasising on the containment of the virus, it suggested that all cases of COVID-19 should be managed in one establishment, adding that all secondary contacts of infected persons should also be traced and put under home-quarantine if no symptoms are reported. Further, it also urged the state government to monitor the movement of those under quarantine as situation could worsen if a single infected person escapes isolation.
“The crematoriums must be managed by the state government and use whatever rules of law to manage the developing situation. All emergency drivers, nurses and other staff must be protected and counselled to know the basic information about the virus biology,” the letter read.
The government should also call out the Army, BSF and paramilitary forces to aid the civilian authorities to transport all suspected cases to containment/ treatment centres, it added.
The members of the Meghalaya People’s Action Against COVID-19 include HS Shylla, former KHADC CEM as well as MLA and MDC, Erwin K Syiem Sutnga, advocate and president of Meghalaya People’s Labour Union (MPLU), Shillong, Don Syiem, Researcher in NEHU, School of Life Sciences, Shillong, Meena Kharkongor, former chairperson, State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, OL Warjri, CEO NEDAI, Sainkupar Riahtam, former Deputy Director Horticulture, Laborious Syiem, former Syiem of Hima Mylliem and Co-chairman of NEDAI and Afreen Begum, advocate.