Srinagar
Besides extending the lock-down, CPI (M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami has urged the government to go for intensive testing, social distancing and address livelihood issues on priority in its fight against controlling the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tarigami in a statement said that the government must increase testing, equip our health workers and address livelihood issues seriously.
“The spread has to be contained through identifying, isolating and sealing areas. A phased exit from the lockdown will help mitigate the economic, famine and law and order issues that may emerge from a prolonged lockdown,” he said.
“The Centre should allocate more money to states and more personal protection kits to healthcare professionals. Healthcare workers involved directly in treatment and management of COVID patients should be provided personal protection equipment as per the directions issued by Supreme Court on April 8,” he added.
He said that reportedly, there is a shortage of PPE kits and N-95 masks which should be addressed immediately to enhance the ability of health care organisation to respond to the pandemic crisis.
“To have a comprehensive approach to contain the virus spread, the government should ensure the increase in capacity for testing as per the advisory issued on March 16 by the Director-General of World Health Organisation,” said Tarigami.
“As the government has issued an advisory for use of masks as mandatory it should as well as ensure that its procured in bulk and its reach to the common masses. All frontline workers including doctors/paramedics /Asha /police personnel’s /safai karamcharis/PHE and PDD employees working tirelessly round the clock in these tough circumstances should be considered for additional incentives. The government should also ensure availability of more ventilators to save patients who are critical due to covid-19,” he said.
“In this context, continuing to restrict large scale movement of people across international and state boundaries is critical and should not be considered unless and until the situation is under control in every state. However, financial capacity of the states to support the poorest sections, as well as the productive economic agents in the medium to long term in the event of continued total / partial lockdown must be taken into consideration. The specific impact on the poorest and most vulnerable sections given that they are likely to bear a disproportionate part of the costs, must be looked into immediately,” Tarigmai said in a statement.
