Kohima, June 3 (MExN): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) today asked the Department of Health & Family Welfare (DoHFW), Nagaland to substantiate the claim of Finance Department.
“The clarification made by Finance Department indicates Rs 245.44 crore spent on pandemic. This is big money for a small state with only 12 districts,” said a press release issued by NPCC, President, K Therie.
Congress asked the department to let the people know district-wise utilisation report indicating work and supplies. Data on how many hospitals are equipped with COVID beds, oxygen, ICU and Ventilator facilities and how many hospitals are identified as non-COVID hospitals should also be made known. Further, public should also know how many quarantine centres are there and whether COVID beds and treatment are free or not including in designated private hospitals and CIHSR.
“Is Naga Hospital Kohima still charging for ICU beds? Sorry for my ignorance,” it stated.
NPCC said that it wants people to be safe with enough facilities. “We want delivery of 100% free vaccines urgently. We want free medication and we want rations for all. Public funds should be spent with transparency to secure lives, not on expensive infrastructures to profit. 30 crores spent could build infrastructure for a medical college. We need a humanitarian approach at this time.”
When frontline fighters are risking their lives with no salary for months together, the respective department’s explanation that it is in the pipeline is far from satisfactory, it stated adding, “If one is drawing salary monthly, one cannot wait even till the second week. There is no moral right to withhold salary even for one day particularly for frontline employees who are serving 24 hours.”
“An honest statement from Health & Family Welfare Department for each district is what I want in the interests of the people. Just financial figures do not prove any benefits to the people,” he added.
Meanwhile, Therie congratulated the frontline fighters. “I was so happy to read a statement from a health worker who said, “if we do not fight, who will fight, I am here to fight”. Fear is not the answer to the pandemic. Put your faith in Jesus. May the Almighty God protect and bless you all,” he added.
