The week, as expected, has ended on a disconcerting note both for India and the world. If for the world, crossing the 1 million mark of those affected by Covid-19 and touching the 60000 level in terms of deaths will escalate the torment, for India, even though the figures are not that terrifying as of now, tension has skyrocketed since during last 24 hours, 600+ cases have been added, the highest single-day increase so far.

 Coming to the national response pattern and in trying to read it, it can be said the current lockdown and particularly the now much-discussed Sunday’s ‘Diya Jalao’ call from Prime Minister have arrested maximum media focus. But, there are more fundamentally important aspects that need further deliberations, of which, the one must be how to face the coming weeks. And amid all the despondent news that had marked the week which ranged from shortages of all ‘bare medical and protective essentials’, there were also some encouraging pieces.

On late Saturday evening it was announced by the National Health Authority that free coronavirus testing and treatment facilities will be provided to over 50 crore Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) health insurance beneficiaries. This is a major relief for millions of economically weaker people of the country as it will significantly expand the overall fightback capacities through inclusion of private hospitals and labs. In relation to this well-timed move aimed at utilising the collective public-private health infra at this critical time, a look must be given over the Northeast in general and Arunachal Pradesh in particular. As per the GoI AB-PMJAY website last updated on February 3, 2020, among all NE states, when it comes to the number of empanelled hospitals meant for delivery of this scheme, Arunachal has the least which is 4 when Sikkim has 6, Nagaland 67, Manipur 24, Mizoram 88, Tripura 90, Meghalaya 168 and Assam 296. Now, even though it’s certainly not the moment to discuss why it is so less for the state, it will be hard to suppress the thought that had the state been a little more aggressive in empanelling more hospitals, state’s people would have felt much relieved at this critical hour.

Central government has  given a Rs. 3.25 Cr relief package to the state through the NEC, but, given the state’s financial limitations which has also taken a hit due to the dwindling GST collections due to the lockdown, it must be large-hearted enough to make sure that any corona-related measure is not halted due to the lack of funds. The state must also use the available medical resources to their full capacities.

Meanwhile, Covid-19 will teach many lessons for both the Centre and State(s), of which, an important one must be that the public healthcare system must be revived.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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