As Kerala diagnosed 41, 971 new persons with Covid-19 and 64 patients succumbing to the pandemic on Saturday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan blamed local self-governments like panchayat and municipalities for their complacency and lethargy in dealing with the emergency situation.
The Chief Minister, who in his daily press briefings till yesterday has been highlighting the shortcomings in the help from the Centre. But on Saturday, he said the local self-bodies in the State had failed in mobilizing emergency facilities like transport, pulse oxy meters and emergency medical staff to attend to the patients afflicted with Covid-19.
Situation is really shocking in Kerala as four out of the 14 districts have more than 4,000 covid patients each. The virus that is causing the pandemic in Kerala is unique as it is capable of causing Covid of extremely serious nature. But what I see is thoroughly unprepared local self-bodies and their complacent and lethargic attitude,” said Vijayan.
The chief minister was caight in an embarrassing situation on Friday when there were reports about Covid afflicted persons in serious condition were transported to hospitals in two-wheelers because of the non-availability of ambulance. The incident happened in a first line covid treatment centre in Alappuzha where there were no medical attendants or vehicles to shift the patient who was gasping fir breath to the nearest hospital. Two volunteers who had dropped in at the centre had to carry him in their two wheeler and this picture went viral in the social media.
According to Vijayan, there were shortages of Covid Treatment Centres as well as medical professionals in the State. “Each of the local self-bodies should have at least five ambulances on round -the-clock basis in times like pandemic. But as on today, our local bodies do not have these arrangements,” said the chie minister.
A former panchayath secretary to the Government of Kerala, who was watching the chief minister’s media briefing said the latter was trying to ‘pass the buck’ to government employees and local self-government bodies. “It is more than a year since the Covid struck Kerala. The chief minister who has been claiming everything was fine all these months have made a volte face today and blames the local self- government bodies. This can never be justified,” said the retired secretary who did not want his name to be quoted.
With the death of 64 persons on Saturday, the toll in the State reached 5,746. There were 4,17, 101 Covid-19 patients across the State. Even the serene and beautiful villages in Keala, known for their scenic landscapes , ponds, rivers, lakes and backwaters have been infected with the pandemic.
Saturday’s press briefing by the chief minister was more of dos and donts meant for the local self-governments. He repeatedly said that there was severe shortage of vaccine in the State. Many emergency surgeries in the Regional Cancer Centre had to be postponed due to oxygen shortage,” said the chief minister.
The none-day long total lockdown declared by the State administration came into effect early Saturday morning. Normal life in the State has come to a standstill following stringent measures announced by the administration as part od the measures to counter the spread of pandemic.