No sense of urgency or credible plan: Congress slams Centre over COVID management

In a resolution passed on Tuesday, the Congress party hit out at the Central Government's management of COVID-19 pandemic alleging that there is "absolutely no sense of urgency or a credible plan" to expand nation's health workforce with quick recruitment of doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers.

New Delhi:Congress party on Tuesday hit out at the Central Government's management of COVID-19 pandemic alleging that there is "absolutely no sense of urgency or a credible plan" to expand nation's health workforce with quick recruitment of doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers.

"It is shocking that our country has registered the last one lakh positive cases in just eight days and we are now seeing 15000 new cases nationwide on a daily basis. CWC wants to draw attention to the fact that after more than four months into the pandemic it is astonishing that Modi government has not unveiled a coherent strategy on reducing fatalities, increasing testing, contact tracing and ensuring social distancing and safety for the most vulnerable population," stated the party's resolution.

It further stated, "There is no nationwide data on available hospital beds and ventilators and no clarity on future capacity planning. There is absolutely no sense of urgency or a credible plan to expand our beleaguered health workforce with quick recruitment of young doctors nurses and other health workers."

The party alleged that the capacity of hospitals in major cities is being severely tested during the crisis period, healthcare workers are stressed and overburdened, and the Union Government seems to have abandoned its responsibilities, and passed the buck to States, without offering adequate support.

Along with ensuring price control and easy availability of drugs, Congress urged the Government to penalize insurance companies for not coming forward to cover the COVID-19 treatment.

"CWC notes that insurance companies are not coming forward to support or cover the COVID-19 treatment leading to hapless patients been financially stranded in times of pandemic. The Government and the insurance regulator must take all steps necessary to control the situation and impose heavy penalties on defaulting insurance companies," stated the resolution.

On testing rate in the country, Congress alleged that the protocol set by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) keeps changing, and there is no consistency and transparency on testing data. It also stated that the PM-CARES fund continues to be "woefully under-utilised" and administered without any transparency.

The CWC also urged the Centre to engage and enable all sections of the society to work together in a way to spread awareness about correct masking protocol and social distancing to combat the pandemic. "Sab ka sath requires sab ka haath in this national effort. Unify, do not divide. Protect all, do not discriminate," said CWC statement.