MP suggests LG in view of increasing cases of COVID-19 in these Islands

Port Blair, August 05: Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Member of Parliament, A&N Islands has taken up various important issues in view of rapid increase in COVID-19 in the A&N Islands with Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor of A&N Islands.

1) It is learned that many COVID-19 positive cases are kept in Home Quarantine for treatment which need to the immediately stopped. May be they are in isolation in the home but using the same toilet, there is always risk of other family members becoming infected which will further increase  number of COVID-19 positive cases in the islands.

Hence, the COVID-19 positive patients whether symptomatic or asymptomatic to be kept in Isolation and treatment to be done in the Government Hospital having adequate facilities such as Oxygen and Ventilators.

2) Immediate action need to be taken to ensure sufficient stock of filled Oxygen cylinders to combat any eventuality.

3) It is observed that the due to shortage of Ambulance, there is delay in transporting COVID-19 patients to the hospital for immediate medical care. Hence it is proposed to hire private vehicles which can be used as Ambulance for immediate transportation of COVID-19 patients from home to all PHCs, CHCs and G.B Pant Hospital.

4) It is proposed that instead of developing COVID-19 treatment facilities at various discrete locations, a big COVID-19 treatment and isolation facility is made at one place capable of handling at least 1000 COVID-19 patients. To pool up the resources required for the proposed COVID-19 centre the assistance of Central Government may be taken immediately. As the cases of COVID-19 positive are being detected in the Inter-Island region also, there is an absolute need to have separate COVID-19 isolation and treatment developed at PHCs, CHCs and District Hospitals in other parts of island.

5) Few COVID-19 positives cases have been detected from various wards of the G.B Pant Hospital such as labour ward, orthopedic ward etc. This has created panic and insecurity amongst the paramedical staffs such as nurses, ayahs, sweepers etc of becoming COVID-19 positives.

Hence, it is proposed that all the paramedical staffs of various wards may be given PPE kit for safety against COVID-19 infection.

6) As the cases of COVID-19 positive patients are increasing sharply with every passing day, isolation facility having beds, bathrooms and toilets for 1000 asymptomatic patients need to be developed immediately.

7) Responsive and responsible Call Centre to be establish for attending  problems of COVID-19 positive patients and their relative's problem.

8) Separate call centre to address problems of general public arising out of COVID-19 scenario also to be established.

9) More tests to be conducted on clusters using Rapid Test Kits (RT-PCR), to analyse the trend and pattern of spread. Rapid Test Kits to be extensively used for detection of COVID-19 cases.

10) Door Delivery of Ayush Medicines for the prevention from COVID-19 and for increasing immunity to be done as people are afraid and hesitant to go out.

11) It is also observed that most of the frontline COVID-19 warriors are getting infected by COVID-19. The administration may call for volunteers from the General Public who are interested to take up the responsibility.  Such volunteers may help the public on ground in maintaining social distancing at public places etc.

12) A coordination Committee need to be constituted by involving all stake holders such as elected representatives viz. PRIs, Municipal Councilors, all political parties, Media, Association for proper monitoring of COVID-19 situation at the ground and to create awareness and vigil amongst the people, a communiqué from the MP Office said.