Meghalaya reported over 8000 deaths from Jan till May, 400 of which are COVID fatalities
"There is an increase of over 300 among other non-COVID deaths compared to previous years. The insight that can be derived from here is that the pandemic situation has also affected general health-seeking behaviour," Principal Health Secretary Sampath Kumar told The Northeast Today (TNT) on Thursday.
Meghalaya has witnessed an increase in the number of non-COVID deaths in the state compared to the previous years. From January till May 2021, the state registered over 8000 deaths, out of which 400 are COVID fatalities.
"There is an increase of over 300 among other non-COVID deaths compared to previous years. The insight that can be derived from here is that the pandemic situation has also affected general health-seeking behaviour," Principal Health Secretary Sampath Kumar told The Northeast Today (TNT) on Thursday.
According to him, the refusal of the people to go to the hospitals for early treatment on account of excessive fear of the COVID situation is resulting in fatalities of COVID-l9 and other diseases also.
"The rate at which the people are seeking help from the hospitals/PHC/CHC is getting poorer by the day and, this could result in unwanted and avoidable deaths of patients from illnesses caused by COVID and other diseases, such as malaria, pneumonia. typhoid etc. all of which are treatable and does not have to end in unfortunate case fatalities," Kumar said.
A case was recently reported of an 8-year-old boy from West Garo Hills who died because of cerebral malaria because he was brought late for the treatment.
"We have issued a guidance note to the districts for educating people on the importance of seeking early medical help for both COVID and non-COVID cases," he added.
The principal health secretary also informed that the severity of these regular illnesses can be easily avoided with proper timely treatment which should not be ignored on account of the COVID- l9 pandemic situation.
To dispel unwarranted fear and anxiety in people, Kumar asserted that COVID-19 disease is curable if early help is sought and proper treatment is given on time.
Meanwhile, Director of Health Service (DHS) Dr Aman Warr informed that there is a slight flattening of the curve and taking into consideration the vaccination status, the department is confident and hopeful that the vaccination drive will provide necessary protection to the people, while at the same time, give the health workers the much-needed confidence to work.
Referring to the Meghalaya High Court's observation on the vaccination drive, Dr Warr said, "With all protocols in place and the decision passed by the High Court... the government will take strong action against those who spread misinformation," he said.
The high court had, on Wednesday, observed that it was the responsibility of the state to disseminate and sensitise the citizens of the entire exercise of vaccination with its pros and cons. It added that the burden also lies upon the state government to stop the spread of misinformation regarding the vaccination exercise.
Meanwhile, the court also asked all shops, business houses and commercial vehicles in the state to put on display the Covid-19 vaccination status of their employees at a “conspicuous” place to allow people to make a conscious decision before using their services.
(Edited by Ibankyntiew Mawrie)
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