Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Saturday called for a nationwide strategy to fight the surge in Covid cases in India after discussion with all political parties. In a video message, she further asserted that the Centre and State Governments “should wake up and fulfil their responsibilities”.
“It’s high time that the Centre and State Governments wake up and fulfil their responsibilities. Migration of the labourers should be stopped. A minimum of `6,000 should be added to their accounts till the crisis is over,” Sonia said in a message shared on the official Congress Twitter handle.
Former party chief Rahul Gandhi launched a medical advisory helpline to help those battling Covid-19 at a time when the country has been ravaged by the second wave of the deadly virus. He has also appealed to doctors to join the battle against Covid-19
Sonia further insisted on her earlier demand that free vaccines should be given to all the citizens. “Testing should be increased across the country and medical oxygen and other resources should be arranged on a war footing. Free vaccination should be arranged for all the citizens so that people can be saved. Mandatory vaccine license should be given to increase the vaccine coverage. Black-marketing of life-saving medicines should be stopped,” Sonia added.
Pointing out the shortage of crucial resources, which has worsened the battle against the pandemic, she said: “Lakhs of people are getting affected amid the pandemic everyday, lakhs have died so far. These are testing times and we have to support each other. Most states continue to grapple with shortage of medical oxygen, hospital beds and medicines.”
She said that a nationwide strategy should be prepared to fight Covid after discussion with all parties. “I bow down to all the doctors and health workers who are serving Covid patients while putting themselves at risk. We have to go beyond the differences. Our country has overcome many huge struggles in the past. Congress will support the centre in this battle.”
Rahul Gandhi went to appeal to doctors and medical professionals to join the battle against Covid-19 and help those in need of medical advice. The party also launched a plasma helpline for the requirement of Covid patients.