GUWAHATI:
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi stated, citing an RTI response, that there has been a "discernible inequity" in the distribution of ventilators to Northeastern states, despite the fact that they have a larger number of current COVID-19 cases.
Mr Gogoi addressed the Union Minister Harsh Vardhan, seeking that the allotment of ventilators is increased to 5,000 for Assam and 500 each for Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland, as appropriate support for states, particularly those in the Northeast, be provided.
"There is discernible inequity in allocation of ventilators to states in the north-east, which needs to be remedied urgently," the letter read.
According to Congress leader Gogoi, in response to an RTI request he submitted, he got state-by-state statistics on the allocation, delivery, and installation of ventilators (as of June 22, 2021), and it was discovered that there was biassed approach towards particular states.
"On putting this data in perspective, and comparing it with state-wise data of active cases, a slanted treatment of states is observed. Assam recorded 32,975 active cases, approximately five per cent of the total active cases in the country, and it was allocated 1,000 ventilators whereas Uttar Pradesh with a total of 3,910 active cases, comprising 0.61 per cent of the total active cases, was allocated the highest number of 6,316 ventilators," stated Gaurav Gogoi highlighting the disparity in the centre's approach towards COVID relief towards some states.
Gujarat received the second highest allocation of 6.200 ventilators, despite the fact that the state had 5,159 active cases, accounting for 0.80% of the total active cases in the country, according to the Assam MP.
Manipur (9,214), Meghalaya (4,273), and Mizoram (4,424) have a greater number of active patients than Bihar (2,811) and Jharkhand (1,417), but the allocation of ventilators in these states is inversely proportionate to the number of active cases, he added.
He stated that Bihar and Jharkhand received 500 and 1,960 ventilators, respectively, while Manipur, Meghalaya and Mizoram only received 447, 86 and 115 respectively.
"It is with great concern that I also note the gaping difference between delivered and installed ventilators in several states. Uttar Pradesh is yet to install 1,067 of the delivered ventilators and such gaps lead to underutilisation of resources and potential shortage during a crisis," said Gogoi.
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