Meluri, July 20 (MExN): Civil society organizations from Meluri subdivision under Phek district have submitted a representation to the State Chief Secretary alleging “step-motherly treatment” in combating the COVID-19 pandemic in the subdivision.
The representation, submitted jointly by the Meluri Area Public Organization (MAPO) and the Müluo Shefüri Kügharü (MSK), highlighted the challenges faced by the frontline workers and the block task force in handling COVID-19 positive cases. It also pointed out that the Meluri block, which is the largest in the district in terms of geographical area, does not have a single TrueNat testing machine.
The organizations claimed that there were several cases where the task force has appealed to the government for equipment and facilities which “were turned to deaf ears.”
Further citing instances of positive cases among residents in quarantine centres as well as those who had previously tested negative, the organizations pointed out that “unless contact tracing with proper equipments be done, we are vulnerable to community transmission.”
Among other things, the organizations also informed that the COVID-19 ambulance which has been transporting positive persons from the block to the district COVID-19 hospital “remains cancelled,” while pointing out that using an ordinary ambulance for the purpose would create higher risk of transmission.
As such, the MAPO and MSK urged the Chief Secretary to intervene and redress the grievances.
