Congress MLA AK Mirabai demanded the Manipur government for regularising the medical staff that were recruited on contractual basis during the crucial time of COVID-19 pandemic.
The MLA was speaking during the closing function of Community Home Isolation Centre (CHIC) opened for Patsoi Assembly Constituency. The function was held on Sunday at the residence of MLA Mirabai located at Tabungkhok.
Addressing the function as chief guest, Mirabai said that everyone witnessed the challenges faced by the state to combat the ongoing pandemic due to lack of manpower. As such, the state government had recruited medical staffs in contract basis to fill up the gap. The authority concerned should acknowledge and never forget the contribution made by those newly recruited contractual staff.
The ratio of healthcare workers and population of the state is still inappropriate and the state government should consider regularisation for more staff, she added.
She continued that many people were affected by COVID-19 and many of them had lost their precious lives in the first and second wave of the pandemic. The main cause was the utter failure of the state government in taking up precautionary measures at the right time, she alleged.
Though the state government had announced various steps like increase of ICU beds, oxygen cylinders, and number of beds in COVID-19 special ward and so on, one has to run from post to pillar to get the facilities, she added.
Mirabai also said that the pandemic is still not completely controlled and many experts have predicted another wave in future. The government should take up extra precautionary measures to avoid any untoward incident that may happen if the third wave of COVID-19 strikes.
Appealing to the people of her assembly constituency to get vaccinated without fail, she said that collective responsibility is much necessary to control the pandemic. Vaccination is one of the best means to prevent this infectious virus and considering this, vaccination programmes were conducted in Patsoi from time to time.
On November 13, a one-day vaccination camp will be held on Patsoi and unvaccinated people in the assembly constituency should vaccinate on this day, Mirabai announced.
During the function, she extended her gratitude to each and everyone who had contributed in running the CHIC successfully.
Under the Patsoi AC, two CHICs were opened, one at St Joseph School and another at State Academy of Training, Takyelpat. Altogether, altogether 1,001 inmates had stayed in these centres.
As a part of the programme, a two-minute silence was observed to mark the condolence of those who had lost their lives due to COVID-19 infection. Besides this, certificates were also distributed to the healthcare workers and volunteers who had extended their support and cooperation to the CHICs.
The programme was also attended by many Zilla Parishad members and pradhans of Patsoi AC.
