Amid rising cases of COVID -19 patients and deaths, the Jharkhand unit of the Indian Medical Association has urged the state government to impose lockdown for 15 days in the state.

In a meeting held on April 15, the IMA office bearers and functionaries headed by its Co-ordinator  Dr Ajay Kumar Singh, President Dr Arun Kumar Singh and Secretary Dr Pradeep Kumar Singh, resolved to request Chief Minister Hemant Soren to act before it is too late.

Though they appreciate the initiatives taken by his government, their letter ( a copy is with JharkhandStateNews) has made the following suggestions to the state government.

1.Impose lockdown in the whole state for two weeks -15 days. Or declare lockdown in COVID hit districts where the COVID cases are speedily multiplying.
2.The district administration should enforce COVID Protocols seriously.
3.Take appropriate steps to increase beds, equipments and medicines in hospitals and clinics.

The state government led by CM Soren has convened an all- party meeting on Saturday evening. The subject is what should be done in the prevailing serious situation when the numbers of positive COVID patients and deaths are rising by the day.

Incidentally, doctors and healthcare workers who are responding to a serious health crisis—trying to protect individuals, families and communities in adverse situations with stretched resources, shortage of beds, oxygen, medicine, personal protective equipment (PPE) and other equipment’s—have found themselves in a Catch-22 scene.” We are ready to leave no stone unturned to do our duty”, said Dr RS Das,a senior IMA member.

Like Dr Das, many doctors appear stressed and tense. They say they want to serve.However,their number is far less in comparison to the number of patients. The available infrastructure is poor.

Also,most government doctors and health care workers are over burdened. “ We don’t know how to bear the load. As many as 17 doctors have already died due to COVID”, cribbed a senior IMA member.

Another IMA doctor who too does not want to be named said: “We will be compelled to go on strike if our suggestions are not followed by the government.” 

Due mainly to lack of beds, equipments and medicines, there have been several reported incidences of violence,protest,anger of patients and their relatives and friends  against them during this pandemic time in Jharkhand. 

Although the exact numbers of such cases cannot be determined, there are a few glaring examples: on 13 April 2021, daughter of a patient who died because he could not be attended by any doctor hauled at a group of doctors.The same day, a positive COVID patient was allegedly assaulted by a neighbour who accused him of spreading the disease.

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