Opposition Congress in Mizoram has come down heavily on the Mizo National Front (MNF) government for its alleged failure in COVID-19 management.  

Senior Congress leader Zodintluanga Ralte said that the ruling MNF government, headed by chief minister Zoramthanga, has totally failed to check the rise in COVID-19 cases in the state.  

The Congress leader also accused the state government of misusing the pandemic in order to make money out of it at the cost of the people. 

He held health minister Dr R Lalthangliana and health and family welfare board vice chairman Dr ZR Thiamsanga, who is also chairman of medical operational team of COVID-19, responsible for state’s failure to handle Covid-19 pandemic.  

“I deeply regret that over 300 people lost their previous lives and many face livelihood crises due to the inefficiency of the health minister and medical operational team chairman to handle the pandemic,” he said.  

Also read: Mizoram COVID-19 crisis: Experts recommend focus on symptomatic and high-risk groups to check fatality rate 

He said that other Indian states have already put the Covid-19 the situation in their respective states under control because they conducted massive samples test, improve health infrastructures and augmented manpower.   

He blamed the state government for its failure to improve health infrastructures and setting up RT-PCR laboratory apart from the one at Zoram Medical College (ZMC) within two years of the pandemic.  

He alleged that the massive use of Rapid Antigent Test kits as the tool for Covid-19 diagnosis other than RT-PCR facilities was the main reasons behind rising Covid-19 cases in the state.    

Among others, the Cogress also demanded setting up of Covid-19 designated hospital in all the districts and arrangement of Covid-19 relief to the poor.  

Mizoram has only one RT-PCR laboratory, which is at Zoram Medical College (ZMC) near Aizawl.  

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R Lalthangliana said that the state government would set up RT-PCR laboratories in all districts, which does not have one.  

He said that mini-RT-PCR or TrueNat facilities have been installed in all district hospitals.  

State nodal officer and official spokesperson on COVID-19 Dr Pachuau Lalmalsawma said that Rapid Antigen Test could not be ignored as it is good for early detection.  

“Many Covid-19 patients would have died had not Rapid Antigen Test was used for diagnosis, which is helpful for early detection,” he said.  

If only RT-PCR facility is used for diagnosis many patients would develop critical issues due to late treatment as RT-PCR results are usually delayed.