Congress party in Manipur on Thursday demanded free treatment of COVID-19 patients and compensations to the victims’ (death) families of the pandemic.
In a virtual press conference, the opposition party also demanded daily increase in COVID-19 vaccination of age group of people between 18-45, cap on the costs of COVID-19 tests done at private laboratories or any other relevant private establishments and live tracking system of oxygen demand, supply and distribution in Manipur.
While demanding free treatment of COVID-19 patients, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) spokesperson, Ningombam Bupenda Meitei reacted to the recent state government’s order on capping the costs of treatment in private hospitals.
He said that it will not be possible to give dignity of life to the poor and the needy during war-like situations in COVID-19 pandemic.
An order of the state government passed on Wednesday fixed charges for COVID-19 treatment by private hospitals.
The Congress leader questioned who will bear the costs of Covid treatment for the poor in private hospitals when the costs become more than the financial limits given by health schemes such as PMJAY and CMHT.
While seeking a clarification on why PPE kits costs are not included in the capping of the costs of Covid treatment, he further questioned how a poor family can bear the cost of Remdesivir which the state government had fixed the price at Rs 3,400 when they can’t earn even Rs. 1000 a month during lockdown like restrictions in Manipur.
The Congress spokesperson then urged the state government to ensure for the universal Covid death certificates in which the cause of the death must include ‘Covid’ so that the kins of the Covid death could receive the compensation for the Covid death.
“The state government must compensate all the Covid deaths”, he demanded.
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