Shillong, June 25: The JSU today has submitted a letter to the The Principal Secretary to the Govt. of Meghalaya, Health & Family Welfare Department to oppose the directive from the Principal Secretary to the Govt. of Meghalaya, Health & Family Welfare as per the letter no.Health.21/2020/Pt.V/78 dated 3rd June 2021 to the respective Deputy commissioner of all Districts for direction to the District Medical & Health Officers of respective districts to mandatorily do RAT Testing for all patients visiting such facilities urging the government to kindly consider the matter keeping in mind of any future harmful implications.
The JSU cited that if health facilities are to practice such testing of all visiting patients, it will lead to most patients suffering from different ailments to stay away from such authentic healthcare providers thus prevent the detection and proper treatment of their diseases or any health complications.” We fear that they will be encouraged to look towards Quacks and unregistered practitioners for their treatment which might resulted to more serious consequences leading to more spread of the virus and mistreatment of their disease. Also, this will encourage the sale of medicines through black markets bought without any medical prescriptions.” writes the JSU.
The Union pointed out that if the government intended for testing in private clinics, it will also burden the patients to have to pay more for their medical expenses arising out of the need for unnecessary testing which would highly affect the poor especially in these times of COVID pandemic. Another hardship that private clinics has to face is the means for disposal of medical waste arising from testing kits.
The JSU urge the government to instead carry on with testing only of those showing symptoms at both public and private institutions in which the government should provide these testing for free as per
recommendations of medical health practitioners. By providing free testing it will cut down on medical expenses of those suffering with the COVID infection and help in detecting the virus.
In regard to mass testing at village levels or localities, the JSU stated that it should be carry out only to those with high risk contacts and as for the general public to be done voluntarily. “We also agree that mass testing is the need of the hour for early detection and early treatment of the disease but should not be forced upon the citizens as it impinges on their right to privacy and their right to take self-decision.” said the JSU.
