Put people first

Thursday, 13 May 2021 00:27 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

On the heels of limiting inter-provincial travel the Government yesterday ordered that all travel will be suspended from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. until next Monday. The latest is effectively a curfew by another name as the President has to declare a state of emergency, ideally, to impose countrywide lockdowns. However, many would agree that more restrictive steps may well be justified and the Government needs to be proactive in imposing such measures.

The latest measure comes after multiple medical professional organisations appealed to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and other top officials to ramp up efforts to promote social distancing ahead of the upcoming long weekend. Given the steady increase of infections and the number of deaths crossing 850 it is already clear that the third wave is far worse than its predecessors and likely to adversely impact the economy for some time to come.

Therefore, avoiding the spread of infections is surely the bigger goal. Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID-19 Disease Control State Minister Sudarshini Fernandopulle speaking to media acknowledged that the health sector was badly strained and while the Government has attempted to score brownie points by assembling 10,000 beds in 10 days there still remains the massive challenge of expanding nurses, doctors and medicine to meet growing care needs.

Public Health Inspectors (PHIs), who have been on the frontlines of this pandemic while often giving sensible advice, have reiterated their appeal for stronger lockdowns. They have insisted that the country is at a critical point and actual patient numbers are more than the daily toll. The PHIs have pointed out that many close contacts of infected patients remain untested, leaving loopholes for the virus to spread. Medical professionals have also estimated that at least 17% of symptomatic patients will require oxygen and there was a grave need to expand critical care.

With more and more bad news being added daily it is imperative that the Government heed medical advice. Equally important is that top State medical officials lay out the reality before policy makers as clearly as possible so that the best decisions can be made in the public’s interest. There is no point in sidestepping tough decisions and later blaming the public.

Obviously, there is no better time for all stakeholders to pull together. Every person has a role they can play in keeping others safe and that has to now become priority. It is now high time for the Government to set aside excuses and agendas and work to protect all Sri Lankan citizens. While it is true that Sri Lanka’s economy is struggling there are still sources of funding that the Government can make use of, including World Bank and other resources. It must ensure that such steps are done transparently and with accountability.

As the country’s COVID-19 situation gets worse it is natural that much anger will be directed at the Government. This is where leadership that was promised needs to come to the forefront. The Itukama fund debacle is an example of how the Government needs to build transparency and accountability into its actions and be sincere in its efforts to put the people first.