TFM spoke to several patients in home isolation and COVID care centers in the state. While some stated that concerned authorities and doctors are monitoring their health status over phone, others alleged that they have not received oximeter and medicines on time, and can’t reach to doctors
By Naorem Tanoranjan
As Manipur reels under the devastating second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, the health infrastructure of the state has been stretched to its limit. With a record number of fresh cases day after day, the government machinery has been scrambling to flatten the curve, apart from the stringent measures such as partial lockdown in districts severely hit by the second wave.
To take stock of the ground reality, TFM spoke to several patients in home isolation, COVID care centers and hospitals. While some appreciated the steps taken by the state government, others expressed their desire for more efficiency and attention to minute details in implementing these steps.
Inmates of CCC at Lamboi khongnangkhong, Khuman Lampak, and other being operated at assembly constituencies appreciated the efforts taken up by the government and the local MLAs. But they drew the attention of the concerned authorities over the supply of medicines to these centres.
Talking to TFM, some of the inmates of CCC at Naorem Birahari College, Khundrakpam stated that they are being looked after properly by the doctors. The authorities used to provide the required medicines, but the inmates said that they had to buy it from their own pocket for the last couple of days. They urged the government to look into the matter. They also added that their meals are being brought from home and expressed their desire to at least provide breakfast.
On the other hand, a 50-year-old mother from Lamboikhul Makha Leikai who recently lost her son to the deadly virus urged the government to provide financial assistance to those families who had suffered COVID fatality. She told TFM that of her three children, the only son used to work and look after the family. Since he died on May 18, the family is facing lots of hardships, she added.
She further narrated that her son was admitted to RIMS after having breathing problems. After several hours, he was put on Oxygen support by the doctors. But it was too late. Stating that she doesn’t want the fate of her son to befall anyone, she urged the government to work towards making sure that there is sufficient Oxygen supply in the hospitals, instead of just “lip-service”.
While some COVID patients in home isolation stated that concerned authorities and doctors are monitoring their health status over phone, others complained that they have not received oximeter and medicines on time, and are not able to talk to doctors.
A couple from Kwakeithel who tested positive on May 20, and are in home isolation at present, told TFM that they had not received oximeter or medicines from the authority, although some officials had assured them some days back. They added that they were in touch with doctors, through the phone number provided by the authority, in the beginning of their home isolation. But those phone numbers are now “switch-off”, they alleged and urged the government to look into such details.
On the other hand, some COVID patients from Imphal East, Imphal West and Churachandpur who are in home isolation and at CCC at present expressed their appreciation towards the effort of the government. They opined that the government should carry on their initiative of distributing oximeter and medicines and close monitoring by doctors and other officials in other parts of the state as well.
While some observers also appreciated the steps taken by the authorities in the last couple of weeks, they contended that the priority of the government should be in arresting the COVID fatality. The state has been witnessing daily deaths between 10 and 20 for quite some time now. The observers believe that the government should address it as its top priority in the fight against the second wave of the pandemic.