Congress Demands Health Emergency In GHMC Limits

Former minister and ex-Leader Of Opposition in the Telangana Legislative Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir demanded that the state government impose a health emergency in Hyderabad and adjacent districts like Ranga Reddy and Medchal with a high number of coronavirus cases.

"There has been a huge increase in the number of Covid-19 positive cases in Telangana, especially in the GHMC limits, and Ranga Reddy and Medchal districts, in the last 15 days. As of May 31, there were 2,792 Covid-19 cases in Telangana, and the death toll was 88. By June 19 the positive cases increased to 6,526 and the death toll reached 198. It means cases and deaths more than doubled in the last 19 days. A total of 3,734 new cases and 110 deaths have been recorded from June 1 to 19. This is extremely alarming and terrifying," Shabbir Ali said.

He added that many experts had already expressed fear that the infections might increase further.

"Almost 13% of the 50,569 samples tested so far have been found Covid-19 positive. With the state government conducting another 50,000 tests in the next 8-10 days, a lot more cases might come to light. The tests being conducted by ICMR-approved private labs will further add to the overall number of positive cases. Therefore, the state government should declare a health emergency in Hyderabad and its surrounding districts for a specified period to deal with the situation," he demanded.

The Congress leader added that the state government should suspend all other activities and stay focused on preventing the spread of Covid-19 further. He also said that all the available resources should be utilised to tackle the coronavirus situation.

"Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao must realise that the Covid-19 statistics are not just numbers. Each number represents a human being and their family. Therefore, all efforts should be made to save each and every life," he said.

Ali added that the state government should direct all private hospitals to not deny admission to non-Covid patients during emergencies. He said that many private hospitals were simply refusing to admit a patient if they possessed some Covid-19 symptoms. He said that many precious lives were lost in the last few weeks as relatives were forced to run from one hospital to another after a patient was denied admission. He said that the Chief Minister must intervene into the matter and issue the necessary directions.