SHILLONG: MDC of Nongthymmai, Latiplang Kharkongor questioned whether the government can announce a date as to when will the testing kits arrive for all citizens to test for any case of Covid-19. He went on to say that NEIGRIHMS can test only below 70 samples and asserted that even after 35 days, the state does not have the rapid test kits readily available and instead send samples to be tested all the way to Guwahati.
Kharkongor said that the delay in the decision to increase testing facilities, equipment and to buy testing kits is a concern on the failure of the government which has now become a serious situation for the 2000 odd people connected with Bethany Hospital who have registered.
“All this while the government kept saying “we are fully prepared” “we are fully prepared” when actually on ground zero nothing is prepared. We strongly suggest to the state government to also close all government offices until the 2000 people and contact tracing have been completed and tested so as to be sure we were able to identify all”, he said. He also asserted that there is lack of communication as no official information is being sent to the public representatives. He went on to add that the MDCs do not even know who is in charge or members of the Disaster Management Task force and that there has been no meeting or information to inform them about the Disaster Management Standard Operating Procedure which has been notified.
He said, “I request all MDCs to take steps to contribute to the state government if they have difficulties in funds to buy rapid testing equipments. If Kerala has it why is Meghalaya not having the testing kits? Were we late in deciding?”.
Kharkongor said that there are many poor citizens in the state without BPL cards and no remedy has been announced till date.
“There are many single parents who are struggling with no remedy for them. We call on the state government not to only function from social media but to also be on the ground”, he said.
