Sops to be extended for Covid-19 warriors

BJP demands permanant jobs for paramedical staff

Health minister Etela Rajender on Thursday assured members of Legislative Council that the state government will consider the demand to extend by a few more months the incentive scheme for frontline warriors dealing with Covid-19.

Replying to a short discussion on Covid in the council, the minister said, “We will consider the extension of incentive scheme by a few more months.” Lauding the services of frontline warriors, he said, “I take this opportunity to bow my head and thank all of them who have worked day and night to serve Coronavirus victims without caring about their personal safety.”

It may be recalled that in April, the state government had declared 10 per cent incentive over and above their salaries to sanitation workers in municipalities, panchayats and GHMC, considering their services during the pandemic. The incentive was extended to a few more categories of frontline warriors subsequently.

Earlier, participating in the discussion, Congress MLC Jeevan Reddy wanted the government to extend the incentives as the pandemic had not yet been controlled.

BJP MLC N. Ramchander Rao demanded that the government appoint doctors and paramedical staff on a permanent basis, as many are reluctant to join Covid-specific duties that are temporary.

In his reply, the minister refuted allegations by Opposition members over the government limiting Covid-specific treatment to Gandhi Hospital in the state capital. He said, “81 per cent of infected persons are asymptomatic, making it very difficult even for medical staff to recognise such cases.”

Rajendar told the House that the government was ready to permit establishment of more private isolation centres, as it is very difficult for a Covid-infected person of a joint family to be in total isolation at small houses in rural or urban areas. He said,

“As of now, there are 121 private centres offering isolation facilities for those who do not have sufficient space in their homes for isolation. The government is offering to such centres at `200 per day per head in rural and `270 per day per head in urban areas.”

The minister urged people to face the Coronavirus with courage, as there is no single treatment methodology or vaccine available for treating the infection effectively.

Council chairman Gutha Sukender Reddy suggested that a task force be appointed by Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao to regulate treatment of Covid-19 at corporate hospitals. A toll-free number must also be provided, so that people can register their complaints in this regard, he said.

RAJENDAR TOLD the House that the government was ready to permit establishment of more private isolation centres, as it is very difficult for a Covid-infected person of a joint family to be in total isolation at small houses in rural or urban areas.