MT News Service
Jammu, May 6:
Amid a spike in COVID-19 cases in J&K, former Minister and senior Congress leader Raman Bhalla today asked LG Administration to increase RT-PCR tests, strictly enforce test-track-treat protocol and speed up the pace of vaccination to cover all priority groups.He said keeping in view the fresh surge in COVID-19 cases, the new positive cases, detected as a result of intensive testing, need to be isolated or quarantined at the earliest and provided timely treatment.Union Territory administrations should strictly enforce the test-track-treat protocol in all parts of J&K, ensure observance of COVID-19-appropriate behaviour by everyone and, scale up the vaccination drive to cover all the target groups, he said.He expressed grave concern over the handling of the Covid-19 situation in the country, while calling for speeding up vaccination and stepping up efforts to deal with the challenge in the Union Territory. Bhalla said the Centre had failed to gauge the severity of the second wave of the pandemic and did not take timely stock of the facilities in Jammu and Kashmir. He expressed concern over the loss of lives across the country due to a lack of oxygen supply and shortage of vaccines, which were exported to other countries, and said it was a “highly irresponsible” act of the Narendra Modi government.
As per press statement issued to mercury times, Bhalla observed that situation has taken a very serious and ugly turn and the country has occupied the top spot in the world in terms of the number of Covid-19 cases, he said. He urged the government to step up the ongoing vaccination drive and ensure the necessary facilities in various hospitals on a war footing. It may not be possible to get the jab for all since we already lack in the required resources and infrastructure, considering the size of our population. The government didn’t ready a plan before launching the drive at mass level to fight the pandemic. Persons who are more vulnerable should be prioritized for getting the jab as they need it before the healthy ones. Vaccination is emerging out as the only way to win the war against the Covid pandemic. But, the recent emerging news of shortage of vaccine stocks with the states is a cause for concern.Bhalla maintained that though one may still contract the virus even after getting the jab, the disease would not be that severe and one would easily recover as the infection would be mild, which might not be the case otherwise. In order to cover more population, mobile centres should be set up, social organizations should be roped in, regular monitoring of the vaccinated persons and awareness drives among the beneficiaries are a must.
Bhalla observed that pandemic has shaken the world all around. Social and economic order has been adversely paralysed. Obviously under the ongoing scenario, foremost priority is to save human lives for which all out efforts should be made. Recent resurgence of new cases and high number of fatalities is said to be fallout of laxity on part of govt. As the wave still goes unabated, the Centre should now speedily vaccinate everybody above 18 years. The challenge is stupendous amid the present shortage of vaccine and big population. Obviously, in order to ensure adequate availability of medicinal vials to cater to the huge requirements, the government will have to extend all financial as well as infrastructural support to the indigenous manufactures to increase production besides importing the medicine from other countries. Presently, the nation is facing unprecedented medical emergency and the people are suffering immensely through losing their precious lives and livelihood on unimaginable scale. All persons of designated age groups must get themselves vaccinated without any delay and get the registration done in order to reduce the burden of medical fraternity fighting the deadly virus. The Jammu and Kashmir government still has the time to move from pressers and to check things on the ground; otherwise, this delay can cost Jammu and Kashmir its fight against the deadly pandemic, added Bhalla.
Bhalla strongly resented inequity in the supply of vaccine and oxygen in the nation. The Centre needs to act responsibly and manage the chaos that the raging pandemic is causing. It is monumental failure on the part of the Modi government that they could not anticipate the second wave of the pandemic when many countries in Europe and other countries were already facing it. Modi and Shah were busy in elections in five states rather than paying attention to the pandemic. The results are before us as the health system has nearly collapsed, people are gasping for oxygen and hospitals and doctors are helpless. It is shameful that many countries have banned flights from India. The Centre is duty bound to raise the number and amount of oxygen and vaccines to save young lives. In the second wave, more people between 30 to 40 years of age are losing battle to the virus. But, at the same time, it requires active participation of the citizens to make it a success. As the nation is caught in the throes of a more devastating second Covid wave, adopting Covid-appropriate behaviour and judicious and speedy pace of vaccinating maximum number of people to achieve herd immunity is the last resort to defeat the deadly pandemic. But, the country is facing an acute shortage of the life-saving vaccine.
Bhalla further said that in this hour of unprecedented health crisis, parties should not indulge in any blame game for political mileage. The incumbent central BJP dispensation should help J&K financially and regulate the supply of essential medical facilities without any political prejudice and bias. J&K Administration should re-adjust its priorities and even stretch its resources to speed up vaccine purchase. The general public should fully cooperate with Government’s ongoing efforts to salvage the prevailing precarious situation. Vaccination for all above the age of 18 is a step in the right direction and the government must ensure effective implementation of the plan. Proper arrangements should be made for the public as there is a possibility that people in large numbers would flock vaccination centres to get inoculated at the earliest and cause chaos. It will be difficult for the authorities to manage the crowd if they don’t chalk out a plan for the same. No doubt that the government had issued guidelines that walk-in vaccination won’t be allowed and prior registration on CoWIN app is a must to get the shot. But, erratic supplies of doses will affect the drive.