Protests in Bihar to Demand Sacking of State Health Minister

CPIML organized protests on 23 July 2020 across Bihar on the issues of sacking the incompetent Health Minister Mangal Pandey under whose watch the health system in Bihar has gone to an abysmal low; testing and treatment for Corona at all primary health centers; ICUs at all Block and Sub-divisional hospitals; distribution of free sanitizers and masks among the poor; taking private hospitals under government control; and a high level enquiry into the killing of Ex-Under Secretary in the state home department Umesh Rajak.

The CPIML points out that for the most part the Health Department has been with the BJP for the past 15 years. But whether in times of encephalitis or Corona, the BJP has made a mess and the health care system in Bihar is in shambles. We demand that Nitish Kumar should immediately remove the incompetent Mangal Pandey from his post as Health Minister.

Party cadres protested across Bihar at homes and offices with posters and placards demanding the sacking of Mangal Pandey.

Bihar State Secretary Kunal said that the rapid spread of Corona across Bihar is a matter of grave concern, and the BJP-JDU is fully responsible for this as they are busy playing election games instead of improving the health care system in Bihar. People are dying untimely deaths in the State. Even after 6 months of the Corona crisis, the government has taken no effective steps for testing, treatment, employment, livelihood, or any other issue important for the people. The people of Bihar have been left to the mercy of the fates. He demanded a high level enquiry into the death of Under Secretary Umesh Rajak who was made to run from pillar to post seeking treatment and finally died a painful death.

Dhirendra Jha said that Bihar’s testing rate is lowest among 19 States in the country. After much criticism it was announced that arrangements would be made for testing at sub-divisional hospitals. We demand fulfillment of this promise as well as extending it to primary health centers. Seeing the rapid spread of Covid, it is necessary that better treatment and ICU beds are arranged at all sub-divisional and District hospitals. Similarly, a huge increase in the number of ICU beds at Medical Colleges is essential.

AIPWA leader Meena Tiwari said that treatment for Covid at private hospitals has also been announced, but the patient must bear the cost for this. This is an extremely unjust decision. The need of the hour is for the government to take private hospitals under its control and make arrangements for Corona treatment for which the government will bear the costs. The 18% GST on sanitizers must be withdrawn and free sanitizers and masks must be made available to the poor.

Saroj Chaube said that the re-imposed Lockdown has further escalated the distress of the common people already struggling for life and livelihood. Heavy rains have badly affected lakhs of people in various Districts. People have gathered in large numbers at dams and other places to save their lives, thus increasing the danger of Corona infection among the flood affected people.

The protests at Fatuha, Gadhani in Bhojpur, Ara, Dhanrua, Arwal, Siwan, Balrampur and Darbhanga were led by senior party leader Rajaram, CC member Manoj Manzil, MLAs Sudama Prasad, Satyadev Ram and Mahboob Alam, AIARLA State Secretary Gopal Ravidas, Mahanand, Abhishek Kumar and others.

The entire Bihar resounded with demands for the sacking of Mangal Pandey, from Purnea to Buxar, Rohtas, Kaimur, Gaya, Nalanda, Nawada, Muzaffarpur, Saharasa, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Gopalganj, Bhagalpur, Vaishali, Motihari and other Districts.