By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 20: As the number of COVID-related deaths nears 1,500 in the state, people continue to be indifferent to the dangers of the virus. The Director of Health Services (Medical Institutions) [DHS (MI)], Dr Aman War, made this statement recently in a felicitation programme for health workers and COVID-19 volunteers organised by the Dorbar Shnong of Wahingdoh.
Commenting on the people’s relaxed attitude towards the virus, Dr War said, “I think we have reached a situation where it is not right to question about the efficacy of the virus. The only protection from this virus is the vaccine only. We have seen that people who are vaccinated are not serious even they are infected by the virus.”
Highlighting the fact that the virus is capable of spreading fast and mutating rapidly, Dr War maintained that vaccine is the only answer to combat a pandemic of this magnitude.
As he warned that the COVID-19 pandemic is not going away anywhere soon, he urged people to strictly adhere to the COVID protocols and do their bit in combating the virus.
“We do not want the people to suffer due to lockdown,” the DHS (MI) Dr War added.
Dr War’s statement comes at a significant time when the number of single-vaccinated people in Meghalaya is higher than the double-vaccinated. Despite the abundant availability of doses in the state, it is appalling to not see people coming forward on their own.
Notably, the programme in which Dr War spoke was organised to felicitate the doctors, ASHA workers and nurses of the Wahingdoh locality, which was severely hit by the pandemic especially during the second wave of the pandemic.
More than 200 residents out of the total 3,000 tested positive for the virus, according to reports.
As such, Dr War lauded the Dorbar Shnong for taking the lead and putting up a brave fight against the pandemic.
Stigmatisation
of drug addicts
In the felicitation programme, Dr War also addressed the issue of drug addiction and its perilous effects upon the addict and his or her family.
Stating that drug addiction does not only cause physical impacts, but also leads to emotional turmoil in the addict’s near and dear ones, the DHS (MI) said, “Personally, I am of the view that as a society we need to dealt with the problem of drugs addiction more seriously since it is affecting the future of many of our youth who are into drug addiction.”