Shillong, Apr 25: Meghalaya legislators on Saturday discussed how to tackle COVID-19 pandemic and decided that individuals infected with the virus should not be stigmatized and the government must ramp up testing of samples.
Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh convened the meeting and discussed on the prevailing situation arising out of the health crisis in the state after 12 people yielded positive for COVID-19 positive cases, out of which, one died.
Chief Secretary M.S.Rao and senior government officials briefed the legislators on the steps taken by the government relating to management of the COVID-19 situation vis-Ã -vis the food security and other relief measures.
“The meeting was a fruitful one and constructive suggestions came out of it. If the need be they would be holding such meetings again to tell the people in one voice that whatever the legislators are doing, they are doing to their best,†the Speaker said.
“The important message is that the political leaders and legislators are united in this fight and will work together as a team and take steps collectively,†Chief Minister said.
Stating that a lot of constructive suggestions had come up, the chief minister, Conrad K Sangma said that there were constraints and the State government would try and improve on the suggestions.
Leader of Opposition Dr Mukul Sangma, who is also a physician, assured the citizens that all members of Assembly were all together, even as he stressed on ramping up of tests, not attaching social stigma to those infected, reaching out to the grassroots and getting people to come up and test voluntarily.
The Chief Secretary informed during the meeting that the capacity of RT-PCR testing is being increased from 90 to 370 daily by mid-May, and 50,000 antibody RD kits will be available by the first week of May since the detection of the first COVID-19 positive case.
“Health systems are being constantly strengthened and adequate stock of health equipment are now available across the State, which include PPE (64,458), N95 masks (80,190), BiPAP Machines (60) and 3- ply masks (5,10,000),†he said.
Rao also informed that Corona-Care and Isolation Centres have been set up across the State to meet any surge situation and doctors and other frontline medical staff including ambulance drivers and housekeeping staff are also being well taken care of.
“Surveillance and monitoring of all the registered 5200 individuals, who are under home quarantine was being by the government,†he said, adding that measures taken for ensuring availability of essential commodities throughout the state and the special schemes for the marginalized.
In a joint statement, the Speaker, the Chief Minister and the Leader of Opposition urged the citizens of the State to provide sensitive support to all COVID-19 positive individuals and those probable cases and not to stigmatize any individual as the virus can affect any person.
“As per existing data, most people affected by the virus will not need hospitalization and will recover by being under home isolation. The government is fully prepared to deal with all cases that may need hospitalization,†the joint statement stated.
Urging citizens not to be fearful of the virus and to follow the standard protocols relating to personal hygiene, hand washing, cough etiquette and social distancing, the trios urged citizens to be respectful and kind to all the health care staff and other frontline workers.
The meeting was also attended by deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong, home minister Lahkmen Rymbui, health minister A.L. Hek, besides Opposition MLAs – Charles Pyngrope, Zenith Sangma, Ampareen Lyngdoh and Mayralborn Syiem, senior officials of the health, food and civil supplies, finance and other key departments.