Darjeeling MP Raju Bista, through a press release, spoke on the charges being raised against the ‘administrative lapses and mismanagement’ of the COVID situation in Darjeeling, Siliguri and especially at Kalimpong.
Owing to the immense contribution of those working on the frontlines amid the pandemic, the MP stated that he refrained from commenting on the allegations out of courtesy.
However, looking at the alarming COVID situation in the Hills, MP Bista spoke out against the administrative lapses and accused it of turning hospitals and medical facilities in Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong and Siliguri into COVID-19 hotspots.
“Today there is a greater danger of community transmission from the hospitals. Many nurses, doctors and other medical staff have contracted the virus because they are forced to work without proper safety measures and guidance,” Bista wrote stated on the press release.
Bista stated that the locals of Kalimpong made him aware of numerous predicaments like the absence of the district’s top medical officers at work. Allegedly, after the current Super was transferred to COVID hospital, no new Superintendent appointed at the Kalimpong District Hospital. When the BMOH of Rambi block was posted as the Superintendent, he too tested positive for COVID and is currently under treatment.
Bista accused the health system in the Kalimpong district of being in total disorder despite having three Deputy CMOHs.
The MP also spoke on the Teesta case, where the patient tested positive after her body was handed over to the family and a funeral service also conducted. Bista alleged that such carelessness by the authorities has put not just the family members in danger, but also the entire village.
According to MP Bista yesterday, a patient admitted to the Male Ward tested positive for the virus. When he was to be taken to COVID hospital, there was no ambulance to be found.
Bista took a jibe at the administration and asserted that such ‘gross negligence’ and apathy towards the health and wellbeing of the citizens is unacceptable.
With this, Bista suggested the following six measures, which could be implemented immediately to repress the COVID situation in the hills:
1. All hospitals should be equipped with rapid testing facilities and isolation wards, so that all patients are tested for COVID first, before being moved to respective wards.
2. Workers and doctors who are engaged with taking care of COVID suspects in the isolation wards must be provided with proper protection and safety kits. PPE kits should be provided not only to the doctors and nurses, but also the technicians, attendants, and sanitary workers.
3. Hospitals should be provided with adequate oxygen cylinders, and the administration must ensure proper spaces for patients.
4. Ambulances, fitted with proper oxygen cylinders and necessary medical equipment should be used, instead of the old dilapidated taxies.
5. Proper sanitization should be done for the entire hospital, and not just the affected wards. If required, they should seek help from the Fire department to ensure that the entire hospital premise is sanitized fully.
6. Attempt should be made to bring in doctors, especially in senior posts who are at least familiar with local people and languages. This will help in ensuring effective and better communication to the other staff and public in general.
The MP further added that he will be sharing his concerns with Union Health Minister and also with West Bengal Chief Minister regarding these issues.
(File Photo)