AAP wants Punjab government to emulate Delhi model to deal with Corona crisis
Chandigarh, August 8
“The rundown condition of government hospitals, especially the Corona care centres in Punjab in terms of lack of medical care and other facilities, speaks volumes of their wanton neglect, posing a potential danger to the lives of patients, especially those infected with the novel coronavirus. Keeping the alarming situation in view, the Punjab government should immediately emulate the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government’s model to effectively deal with the catastrophic situation”
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) senior leaders, including party legislators, on Saturday raised this demand with the Amarindrinder Singh Government in the saddle, in view of the surge in the Covid-19 cases in the state.
In a joint statement issued from party headquarters on Saturday Leader of Opposition (LoP) Harpal Singh Cheema, Deputy LoP Sarabjit Kaur Manuke, chief spokesperson and MLA Prof Baljinder Kaur and MLA Rupinder Kaur Ruby said that the unprecedented spike in cases had, on the one hand deflated the tall claims of the government for putting in place the combative measures, on the other shoving the hassled patients, especially those afflicted with Corona virus in a tizzy.
Harpal Singh Cheema, through a video prepared by some patients at a Bathinda Corona care centre, which had gone viral, on twitter handle cornered chief minister Amarinder Singh, saying that food was not being served to the patient there, leaving them with no option but to ascending the rooftops to be heard. He slammed the CM over his false propaganda being peddled over the raft of facilities in place at the hospitals, which were corroborated by reports pouring in from various parts of the state.
Prof Baljinder Kaur, Sarvjit Kaur Manuke and Rupinder Kaur Ruby said the state government should immediately ramp up facilities at Covid care centres, including adequate budget and wherewithal, setting up of a 24X7 helpline desk so as to keep a tab on the flow of number of patients and how fasts they were attended to.
The AAP MLAs said: “Punjab government should take a cue from the Delhi government and allow home covid care centres operate under the set guidelines. In Delhi, a covid patient is allowed to be treated at home under strict safety guidelines adhering to the safety norms. The patient is being provided free medicines and other facilities, saying the Punjab government could also adopt the model”
Rupinder Kaur Ruby on the occasion said the condition of the civil hospital and Covid care centres at Bathinda were in a ramshackle state and were battling an acute staff crunch.