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Dimapur, April 15 (EMN): Nagaland unit of the Nationalist People’s Party (NPP) has castigated the state government over what it termed as ‘utter negligence and lackadaisical attitude’ towards the frontline health workers and the dismal preparedness to deal with Covid-19 pandemic.
NPP has urged the government to ensure protection and welfare of the frontline health workers, as without them, the first line of medical support would be compromised. It queried as to whom should the public turn to for respite in the absence of frontline health workers if the nearby states refuse to take in any patient in the near future in the event of an all-out breakout of the disease on a bigger scale.
It also cited instances where ambulance drivers, nurses, quarantined individuals and their families including their colonies/ villages were facing social stigma and discrimination.
It questioned why the doctors and nurses were provided with expired and inferior quality PPEs. It stated that the pictures of mould infected N-95 masks and dilapidated hospital buildings that are circulating in the newspapers and social media spoke volumes about the total disregard of the state government towards the frontline health workers, which in turn is putting everyone at high levels of risk and could lead to more positive cases in days to come.
State NPP has expressed displeasure over the wilful negligence of the citizens by the government as it alleged that there was no attempt on the part of the chief minister, ministers and MLAs to come out and take bold steps like true leaders.
It has asked the state government to provide incentives to the medical fraternity and also take appropriate and immediate steps for those people from Nagaland who are stranded outside the state due to the lockdown.
“Mere distribution of food items and advertising the same over social media by the state government is not going to solve this pandemic but the need of the hour is to be fully equipped with proper medical and protection equipments for all concerned,” an update from NPP media cell stated.
It also demanded the government to take immediate and transparent action in purchasing and ordering the best quality, complete and adequate sets of PPEs, ventilators, testing kits etc. for the entire state on war footing before a public unrest takes place.
NPP also requested the opposition parties, civil societies, tribal hohos, NGOs, etc. to come forward and raise their legitimate voice before the pandemic becomes an all out disaster because of the lack of proper facilities provided by the government despite all the financial grants being sanctioned by the central government. It urged upon all not to shy away from highlighting the lapses of the government but to give constructive criticism for the welfare of all.
While assuring its unflinching support to all concerned including the state government, NPP called upon all to set aside personal differences and collectively work for the benefit of the people.