Covid-19: 'Declare health emergency in Vizag tribal belt’

VISAKHAPATNAM: The tribal associations are demanding the government to declare a health emergency in the Vizag tribal belt to contain the spread of Covid-19. More than 15 positive cases were reported in the Visakha agency area.
The Adivasi JAC alleged that it had sent two letters to the government on June 8 and June 25 to declare a health emergency in the Vizag agency area, but there was no response from the government.
The Adivasi JAC district convenor Ramarao Dora sent a e-mail to the state chief secretary Neelam Sawney on Thursday by requesting her to announce health emergency in tribal areas.
“After lifting the lockdown on June 8, the spread of coronavirus has created panic among the tribals. We have imposed self lockdown with some exceptions. Cops imposed false cases against seven of our JAC leaders for creating awareness programmes among the tribals,” he alleged.
Dora said that they are demanding the government to conduct tests for all tribals by creating medical facilities in the agency area.
"The government should alos take control of the area and provide essential commodities through GCC," he added
‘Agency areas would witness Malaria in the rainy season and other health problems in the winter season. Government has to take all medical precautions to safeguard the tribal folk, who are innocent and have no knowledge about the diseases,” he said.