Congress to help Covid-19 patients, conduct funerals of victims in Mangaluru

Congress to help Covid-19 patients, conduct funerals of victims in Mangaluru

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, July 4, 2020: Dakshina Kannada District Congress Committee (DCC) has decided to set up teams to help Covid-19 patients and also to ensure dignity in death for victims, who die due to pandemic.

Lambasting the Karnataka government for lack of facilities to manage Covid-19 situation in the state, former health minister U T Khader said people have been struggling to get an ambulance to reach hospitals and also for the transportation of dead bodies in Mangaluru and Bengaluru.

“Congress will take up the responsibilities of shifting patients to hospitals and giving dignity in death for Covid-19 victims if the government is incapable of solving the crisis. Teams will be formed in Dakshina Kannada district by the DCC, which has already appointed party leadres as coordinators. They will be forming teams and set up a help desk near Wenlock Hospital to help patients and also for the cremating / burial of Covid-19 victims in the district. The team members will be given proper training,” Khader said.

People have been witnessing instances of public helping Covid-19 patients reach hospitals. In Mangaluru, there is only one ambulance to shift the dead body of Covid-19 victims. The government is in a total dilemma and not able to manage the situation. The government should make alternative arrangements by purchasing additional ambulance vehicles immediately, Khader said.

Karnataka has filed an affidavit in the High Court saying that they have purchased 1,000 ventilators for Rs 120 crore, though the market price may be just Rs 40 crore. They have purchased PPE kits worth Rs 50 crore by paying Rs 150 crore and procured 10 lakh masks for Rs 40 crore, he said alleging corruption in the purchases. However, patients admitted to government hospitals like Wenlock Hospital are not given masks, he said demanding an inquiry into the alleged corruption in the purchase of equipment.

Former MLC Ivan D’Souza said patients are being sent to private hospitals due to lack of sufficient number of beds for Covid-19 hospital in the city.

Courtesy: Times of India