Manipur Congress calls for free universal COVID-19 vaccination

The Opposition Congress in Manipur on Friday demanded free COVID-19 vaccination for all. Talking to reporters, Congress Legislative Party chief Okram Ibobi, mentioned {that a} Congress group led by him had submitted on Friday a memorandum to Governor Najma Heptulla within the Raj Bhavan, as directed by the Congress chief Sonia Gandhi.

He clarified that there was no political motive behind the demand. “It is not the time for politicking since people are getting infected and there are daily deaths in this small State. There are about 30 lakh people in Manipur and it will be comparatively easy to vaccinate the high risk group of people. As is done in some other States, the Manipur government should declare suitable compensation to the families of dead [corona] warriors,” Mr. Ibobi mentioned.

He puzzled why the second doses of the vaccines had been postponed by some months. “Is it because there is no stock of the vaccines? But out of those who got the first jabs, several [corona] warriors have been vaccinated the second time. Will the government say that it was also a mistaken step?” he requested.

Meanwhile, the federal government withdrew the notification issued on May 26, fixing the charges for fee of COVID-19-related prognosis and medicines within the personal hospitals since authorities hospitals couldn’t accommodate the surging variety of COVID-19 sufferers.

There have been complaints galore towards the excessive charges charged by the personal hospitals. However, personal hospitals haven’t honoured the federal government notification. Officials of those hospitals reportedly advised surprised sufferers and members of the family that the Government Order was not relevant to non-public hospitals. The authorities then issued one other modified order on June 1. The administration of personal hospitals is but to announce whether or not the brand new charges could be honoured or not.