The Manipur state branch of Indian Medical Association (IMA) has announced that a candle light homage and vigil ‘White Alert’ will be observed on Wednesday at 9 pm in honour of all those health workers who have lost their lives in the battle to fight COVID-19 from the forefront, a press release stated in Imphal on Tuesday.
“We are requesting all the government doctors, clinics, private practitioners, hospitals, medical institutions, nurses, paramedics, sanitation workers, lab technicians, attendants and all those involved in providing healthcare services to please light a candle at 6:30 pm to show our unity in this time of distress, we also request our sister organizations like the Indian Dental Association, Trained Nurses Association of India, TNAI-Manipur, Medical & PG Students, NGOs and CSOs to show solidarity to our common cause,” the release said.
Expressing its appreciation of the well-coordinated task of frontline workers under the leadership of chief minister N Biren Singh and health minister L Jayantakumar Singh to fight COVID-19 in the State, it said the mass general awareness on the issue by the State Health Department has resulted in a lot of goodwill for the health care workers of Manipur unlike other states.
Stating that even in our State there have been ghastly incidents of violence against doctors and destruction of hospital property in the past, the release said, “We demand a special central law against violence on doctors, nurses, health care workers and hospitals by a central ordinance.”
IMA, Manipur state branch also appreciated Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik for declaring that the government will ensure Rs 50 lakh for all health personnel (private and public) and members of all other support services who lost their precious lives in the fight against COVID-19.
He also assured distribution of awards to COVID-19 warriors on national days, full salary to families of all such personnel till the date of retirement besides invoking the National Security Act (NSA) for attacks against doctor and healthcare personnel.
IMA, Manipur state branch also requested to use ‘physical distancing’ instead of ‘social distancing’.