Infusing
confidence in people, the Telangana example
Vanam
Jwala Narasimha Rao
The
Pioneer, Hyderabad (01-04-2020)
It is pertinent to note that no other issue or incident had
created such a panic world over after the Second World War, than the present
Corona Virus pandemic. The entire world is mortally scared of even its mention.
Ever since the first case of Corona Virus was reported in the state
the Telangana Government plunged into action initiating series of preventive
and curative measures from time to time to contain the Virus. The government on
a day-to-day basis has been monitoring, assessing, studying the situation carefully
and giving all the necessary guidelines, instructions to the administration at
all levels.
To begin with, the Government sought to know the reasons behind
the outbreak and spread based on the Virus time line from its epicenter Wuhan
in China. Telangana’s dedicated scientists, medical professionals, specialists
in the field of virology and officials concerned, did a remarkable research and
spadework on the matter and came up with many valid observations.
Perhaps, Telangana State was the first to identify that a major
factor for the spread of the virus, is the travel history, that is, the foreign
returnees, who went abroad and came back carrying the virus albeit unknowingly.
Telangana State was the first state, which constituted special task force teams
all over the State to identify those who came from abroad to the State after
March 1, 2020 and also identifying people within the state, those with whom
these foreign returnees interacted. The state government authorities were able
to identify 25,937 such people, and put them under the quarantine either in the
hospitals meant for it or at their respective homes. They have been under
surveillance by 5,746 teams and their quarantine period would start ending from
March 30 and by April 7, all of them would be off the radar.
The Telangana State government was the first to request Prime
Minister Narendra Modi to ban the arrival and taking off of the international
flights to prevent people coming from abroad to the country some of whom might
carry the virus. Telangana State was also the first to talk about the sealing
of the interstate borders, ban on public transport both intra and interstate. The
PM readily agreed to CM proposal to make the Centre for Cellular and Molecular
Biology (CCMB) Labs in Hyderabad to utilize to conduct the COVID-19 tests. The
CCMB Labs can test about 800 samples a day. CM made this request many days
before anyone sensed about the danger of this epidemic.
To create more awareness but not fear or panic among the people on
the Corona Virus, periodical media briefings are taking place by the Chief
Minister. The attempt is to infuse confidence in people which actually is
working well. With the same spirit shown during Palle Pragathi and Pattana
Pragathi, people in the State are making the lock-down and social distancing successful
barring negligible and minor violations.
In the case of a major pandemic like Corona, the most affected are
the poor, marginalized and migrant workers. Besides providing 12 kilos of rice
per person and Rs 1500 in cash, the state government had ensured that no one in
the state including the migrant workers, the marginalized, orphans, old age
persons, destitute are starved. Over 3.5 Lakh migrant labourers in Telangana
State would also get 12 kilos of rice free, shelter, medical aid and Rs 500 per
person to tide over the crisis situation. This has drawn the attention of the
nation and CM was appreciated by one and all.
As part of cutting expenditure to meet the urgent needs of the
people the government has imposed cut in the salaries of public servants right
from Chief Minister down to an attender ranging from 75% to 10%.
The government is fortunate to have wonderful, committed and
dedicated official machinery in the state. Employees, staff of the Medical and Health,
Electricity, Water works, Sanitation, Police, paramedics, hospital watch and
ward staff, Ministers, officials, elected representatives, Self Help groups,
Farmers, Rythu Bandhu Samithi Teams, media and a host of other agencies are
working round the clock to prevent and put an end to the Corona Virus spread.
It has been ensured that the rural economy and employment is not
shut down. While strictly maintaining the lock-down, measures have been taken to
protect the day-to-day lives and livelihoods of the people. From a roadside
Kirana shops, small vegetable vendors to other small-time traders, all are
allowed to do their business within the restrictions under the total lock-down.
A clear-cut assurance is given to the farmers that they would get
Minimum Support Price for their produce and their produce will be procured by
the government at the village. Instructions also have been given to all the concerned
that the movement of essential commodities, fruits, vegetables, medicines,
milk, cattle feed, fodder, should be allowed. A paddy and rice policy for the
state has been mooted.
The government is
prepared for any eventuality, even if it was a full-blown situation in the
State. But the people should complement and supplement the government efforts
by ensuring that they stay indoors, maintain social distancing and avoid
gathering in groups but not panicky. Any deviation from these norms would only
result in diversion of government energy from other more important matters. People
of the State should not take the situation lightly with a ‘nothing-will-happen-to-me’
attitude. Appeal to the people is that they should voluntarily abide by the
lock-down norms now extended till April 15.
The State is fully
geared up and prepared to combat the deadly virus and it would facilitate
treatment of 60,000 patients, if the need arises. A total of 11,000 beds are ready
in isolation wards of hospitals for coronavirus patients besides another 1,400
beds in ICUs. The Gachibowli Stadium will be converted, in the next two to
three days, into an exclusive isolation facility for Covid-19 patients. The Gandhi
and King Koti Hospitals are also kept ready.
The government had
placed order for 500 new ventilators; a pool of 11,000 doctors was being
prepared that includes the 8,000 existing doctors. The remaining comprising retired
doctors, PG medical students and medical interns. A financial package for these
professionals is also being worked. Besides, the government is also preparing a
pool of nurses and other paramedics including laboratory technicians.
All the private hospitals, sports stadia, multiplex complexes,
Malls would also be kept ready to be temporary hospitals if need be. Essential
commodities, medicines would be made available to the general public especially
the poor and marginalized.
This is not time to complain or indulge in blame game. This is the
time to maintain balance, to be vigilant and alert. This is the time to explore
the alternative and time-tested systems of medicine and try to find out whether
they have any solution to offer which can be tested and verified. This is the
time for all of us to act unitedly and decisively. In the weeks and months to
come, we should show our resilience, commitment, dedication and our united
efforts to eradicate the deadly Corona not only from our soil but also from the
world. This is also time for us to work for the safety of our fellow people in
the World.
World Health Organization (WHO) Executive
Director Michael Ryan has rightly said that India has tremendous capacity
to deal with the coronavirus outbreak and, as the second most populous country;
it would have enormous impact on the world's ability to deal with it. India
will deal with it successfully. As Indians, we have been taught generation
after generation that whole world is one family.
