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Bhubaneswar: Alleging gross mismanagement in addressing Covid situation in the State, especially in rural areas, the State BJP today putforth certain proposals to the State government which could effectively help in tackling the crisis.
Senior BJP leader and MP Basant Panda suggested the government to increase the testing and tracing in rural areas along with steps for the functioning of Temporary Medical Centres for the migrants.
“Odisha government should take serious note that people in rural areas succumb to Covid-19 even before they were detected for the infection. This is happening due to lack of testing. The government needs to augment testing capacity in villages. Moreover, the temporary medical centers (TMCs), which were functional last year in every panchayat, need to be made operational this year too as more number of migrant workers have started coming back to their native places,” Panda said.
He further suggested more stringent measures for prevententing thr spread of the virus to rural pockets. There is a need for village-centric health care facilities now, Panda said.
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The MP also pointed out that the Covid crisis management committees should be formed at village level comprising Anganwadi workers, ASHA, ANM workers and intellectuals to effectively manage the situation as the spread of the virus is fast increasing in rural belts.
On the other hand, the BJD hit back at the Opposition party in the State, questioning other BJP-ruled States’ efficiency and political interest in helping migrant labourers in their respective states.
“Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has made all arrangements for people of other states who are living in Odisha. But, Odia people are returning from Gujarat and other states in a state of destitute and hunger following loss of jobs. Why has the BJP government failed to provide them shelter and food during the time of pandemic?” asked senior BJD MLA Pramila Mallik.
Rubbishing the allegation of lack of government measures in rural areas, Mallik said “We immediately take measures in rural areas from where report of clusture infection comes in. Health camps with necessary medicine are being set up at sensitive areas. The infected regions are also being sanitized by fire services personnel.”
The local BDOs, tehsildar and health officers are working in rural areas and taking adequate measures wherever required. Mass testing is also being carried out in villages and wherever any infection is detected, arrangements have been made to quarantine them, she added.
