No matter how much the government is trying to cover up its failures, stage-managed exercises cannot change the narrative
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane has made a fervent appeal to the people of Goa to come forward and donate plasma to save lives. It's one of the best solutions to treat Covid, and recovered patients must become saviours for others, he pleads. But Mr Health Minister, you launched plasma therapy nearly a month back. Why did the government not reach out to people all this while with an aggressive awareness campaign?
If we may recall, the health minister tweeted on August 2 disclosing that Plasma Therapy had already begun with two patients on treatment. We don't dispute the fact that plasma can do wonders and save lives, and also true is that the process will not affect the donor. The point is, why are people not coming forth? A social media post earlier this month by the kin of Shripad Naik went like this: Urgently required a B+ve or AB +ve/-ve plasma donor who was a symptomatic patient and tested +ve at least 28 days before, and is in the age group of 18-50 years. Pl contact... If this is the plight of VVIPs searching for plasma, imagine what the common man would go through.
Plasma donation has been an issue earlier in some other states as well, including Delhi and Karnataka. However, governments have stepped up awareness, and simultaneously won the confidence of people with robust measures. The change is visible. In Goa, people are traumatized due to the stigma attached to Covid, and there is a fear of getting infected again. Government has failed to raise awareness and only wasted time on unnecessary optics. A couple of days back, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had an interaction with Covid survivors. Two people from each taluka narrated how well they were treated during their stay at hospitals and care centres. The truth is, hundreds could come forth and express their days of horror. No matter how much the government is trying to cover up its failures, such stage-managed exercises cannot change the narrative. Let's be real.
The health ministry felicitated two plasma donors on Friday and gave them appreciation certificates at the hands of the health minister. But these tokens are not enough to change the mindsets of larger people. Engaging MLAs of respective constituencies is a welcome step, and likewise, even the panchayat members have to be activated. It's better late than never, an aggressive outreach programme has to be chalked out engaging all and sundry, including social bodies.
It's a pity that people are reluctant to come forward despite the sizable recoveries. As of today, there are 12,296 Covid survivors, and the Friday health bulletin showed 429 recovered in a single day. What do these figures speak? It is a clear sign that people prefer fending for themselves because they have lost confidence in the system. And for heaven's sake, Mr Health Minister, do not talk about trust in Goa Medical College when VVIPs and the health director are rushing to private hospitals.
