Covid-19: India recovering, northeast in dire straits
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: May 13, 2021 -

NEWSPAPER reports headlined ‘recoveries outnumber new cases’ would definitely be the top choice and preference of central and regional governments at this juncture as the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect the country and exposes its frail healthcare infrastructure.

With India’s daily Covid-19 infection tally topping the world and deaths seeing record spike ever since the onset of the second wave of the pandemic, opposition parties have been feasting on the unprecedented medical crisis and questioning commitment of the government with the latter’s propaganda machinery responding with the assertion that the previous regimes’ failure to prioritise improvement of the healthcare infrastructure is the root cause for thousands of virus infected people succumbing every day.

While it would be hard to predict when the pandemic would finally end, one could safely assume that charges and counter-charges between the ruling and opposition parties would ensue.

Even if the present regime goes all out to blame the earlier governments, it is obvious that the opposition leaders would refer to extravagant expenditures towards grandiose projects such as erection of statues, construction of recreational facilities and other buildings rather than investing in strengthening the healthcare system during its rule since year 2014.

Moreover, as there had been persistent claims by ministers and bureaucrats that efforts of the government led to dip in the country’s caseload and fewer body counts during the first wave, it would be quixotic to shift the blame on their predecessors for the present regime can’t downplay the fact that the people gave their mandate owing to disenchantment with the erstwhile government and promises given to them for better governance in all sectors.

Though the on-going devastating impacts during the second wave of the pandemic has been emboldening the opposition leaders to launch blistering attacks on the government, one could conveniently comprehend that the table would be turned on the government detractors once the situation improves.

With India’s recoveries outnumbering the daily cases for the first time in 61 days as on Tuesday, it is obvious that ministers and leaders of the present regime would be preparing to hit back without any restraint as was evident before the second wave raged.

While it is certain that the Union government would be heaving some sigh of relief in view of the daily cases seeing gradual decline and readying to embarrass the opposition parties, there is no reason for governments in the north-eastern states to rejoice over signs of improvement in the pandemic situation at the national level.

Unlike the bigger mainland states which have better healthcare facilities and substantial numbers of medical professional, shortcomings have been the dominant feature of government hospitals in the northeast.

With experts cautioning that coronavirus cases in Assam, which is the region’s largest and most developed state, are spreading at a faster pace than anywhere else in the country, governments of other NE states should initiate effective precautionary measures as well as ramp up the available resources to prevent further deepening of the health crisis.

The high daily cases pushing Manipur’s active caseload close to 5000, Mizoram having nearly 2000 patients, Meghalaya over 3000 active cases, and Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh too facing the brunt of the second wave speak volume about the overall pandemic situation in the region.

Thus, in view of the prevailing grave situation, regional governments must pay heed to constructive suggestions, including from perennial critics and opposition leaders, for no sane persons would want to indulge in the game of one-upmanship at this critical juncture.