Because of the continually rising surge in Covid19 cases all across the country, numerous bureaucrats are taking different steps to help their people and make their lives easier. Amongst them is the District Collector of Auraiya District, Uttar Pradesh, Mr. Sunil Kumar Verma who is not only paying attention to the patients but also their family members and relatives.
In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Verma talks about his initiative and the Covid situation in his district.
PROMPT TREATMENT
Mr. Verma explains that the elements adding to the crisis in the district are lack of oxygen cylinders as nearly 60-70% of patients are dependent on oxygen. “At times, a patient’s oxygen level drops suddenly and their health becomes critical. Therefore, we believe in early detection, as that’s the key to early medication so we could save the person in time,” he pointed out.
The health officials apply ‘aggressive treatment’ while treating their patients, which means that they will utilize all their equipment so that the patient’s health doesn’t become critical. This treatment involves Covid testing, blood test, CT scan, etc.
“As of now, we have 1700 active cases and the positivity rate is between 5-10%. The situation is not very bad and is under control, comparatively,” said Mr. Verma.
SAFE SPACE FOR RELATIVES
In a Covid19 situation, people focus on the health of the patient but their relatives accompanying them usually go unnoticed, which is why the cases increase as the persons who come along with the patient get positive too while being exposed to the virus.
To avoid this, Mr. Verma has set up a camp alongside hospitals for the family members and relatives of the patients to reside in. The camp is furnished with all the facilities such as clean washrooms, showers, and beds/mattresses for them to lie upon.
“We have established the ‘seva shivir’ camps funded through District Disaster Management Control Authority who provide them with meals and snacks and our own temple trust that provides nebulizers, masks, sanitizers, and other essentials. The camp offers fresh meals, kadhas, steam inhalers, and medicine kits in advance so that the relatives staying there may also take them as a precaution,” Mr. Verma told Indian Masterminds.
Mr. Verma has sought public contribution to the initiative. Responding to this, people from different sectors have been contributing items like masks, sanitizers, biscuit packets, etc.
BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY
Another step that the officer and health workers in Auraiya have taken is to hand over a kit complete with Covid medicines to anyone who is coming to get themselves tested. The kit contains the five essential medicines required to fight Covid.
“The reports usually come within a day or two so if that person is positive, he will come to know about it two days later. To keep himself safe, he can start having the medicines until then,” says Mr. Verma.
Since the medicines have no side effects, people who don’t have the virus can also take them without harming their bodies. This will ensure further safety for them
“The medicines are mostly immunity boosters so anyone can have them – negative or positive – without worrying.”
VACCINATION DRIVES
As of now, Auraiya is vaccinating people above the age of 45. However, people’s reluctance to take the vaccine is proving to be a hurdle.
“They don’t want to get vaccinated and when they test positive for the virus, they get admitted to the hospital. This apathy causes problems for us, therefore we are trying our level best to spread awareness about the importance of vaccination,” Mr. Verma told Indian Masterminds.
Mr. Verma is right. Vaccination is the only ray of hope that we have today, to keep ourselves safe from the reach of coronavirus.
