MLAs to enlighten people not to stigmatize COVID19 patients

A meeting of Meghalaya legislators from both the government and opposition decided to aggressively enlighten the people not to stigmatize persons infected by COVID19. During the meeting the need to increase testing facilities in the state was highlighted. The meeting, convened by Assembly speaker Metbah Lyngdoh, was attended by chief minister Conrad K Sangma, his deputy Prestone Tynsong, home minister Lahkmen Rymbui, health minister A L Hek, leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma and other opposition MLAs.

The opposition MLAs included Charles Pyngrope, Zenith Sangma, Ampareen Lyngdoh and Mayralborn Syiem. The meeting, attended by chief secretary MS Rao, senior officials of the health, food & civil supplies, finance and other key departments, discussed the prevailing COVID19 situation and how to move ahead in the fight to contain transmission of the virus. A presentation was made by the chief secretary detailing the steps taken by the state government relating to management of the COVID19 situation, movement of essential commodities, distribution of food grains, relief measures and other steps being taken by the government.

Several suggestions were made and jointly decided to provide full support to all COVID19 positive patients and those probable cases and not to stigmatize any individual as the virus can affect any person, be respectful and kind to all health care staff and other frontline workers. The Speaker, chief minister and leader of Opposition emphasized that no one should stigmatize people infected with coronavirus and urged the people to come forward and get tested. The meeting also urged the citizens not to be fearful of the virus and follow the standard protocols relating to personal hygiene, hand washing, cough etiquette and social and distancing.

As per existing data, it was informed that most of the people affected by the virus will not need hospitalization and will recover by being under home isolation. During the presentation made by the chief secretary, the government will increase the testing capacity of RT-PCR testing from 90 to 370 by mid-May and 50,000 antibody kits will be available by the first week of May. Stating that health systems are being constantly strengthened, the government informed that adequate stocks of health equipment, including PPE (64,458), N95 masks (80,190), BiPAP machines (60) and 3-ply masks (5,10,000), are now available in the state.

Quarantine, Corona Care and Isolation Centres have been set up across the state to meet any situation. It was stated that doctors and other frontline medical staff including ambulance drivers and housekeeping staff are also being well taken care of.