COVID-19: Priyanka asks CM Yogi to ramp up medical facilities, wishes him speedy recovery

Lucknow: Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra wished a speedy recovery to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, calling upon the Yogi government to stop covering up the numbers related to COVID cases and deaths in the state.

In a three-page statement issued here on Wednesday, Priyanka said that Congress would support all efforts for the welfare of people. Noting that between April 5 and 11, COVID cases had increased by 70 per cent in the country and 281 per cent in Uttar Pradesh, she said that Uttar Pradesh has a population of 24 crore but not even one crore had been vaccinated till now.

She said that testing in the state was not up to the mark and reports of tests were being unduly delayed, adding "The number of beds is insufficient and this is leading to delay in treatment has led to increasing in deaths and people are being made to wait for hours to cremate their near and dear ones." 

Citing the letter sent by UP Law Minister Brijesh Pathak, Priyanka Gandhi reportedly stated that it exposes the grim reality of the prevailing situation, as compared to the tall claims being made by the state government.

She further stated that there were merely 531 ICU beds in Lucknow whereas the number of patients here is over 13,000.

IANS report quoted her as saying, "There are more than 5,000 posts of doctors lying vacant in district hospitals. There is a total requirement of 45,000 doctors in UP at all levels including primary health centers and community health centers but there are only 13,000 doctors at present." 

She asked the Yogi Adityanath government to ramp up medical facilities, allow testing by private labs but cap their rates, and ensure an easy and transparent procedure for admission of patients in medical facilities.

She also sought financial assistance for COVID patients from poor families and increase the vaccination drive.

(With Agency Inputs)