By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, APR. 10: The health wing of the Central Tibetan Administration has called on health workers and essential personnel based in India and Nepal to offer voluntary service during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
“In view of continued emergency and deteriorating state of public health caused by Wuhan COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, the Department of Health, CTA requests doctors, nurses, medical staff and drivers stationed in Tibetan habitats in India and Nepal to render short term voluntary services as per the need of their locality,” the official announcement read.
Deputy Secretary Namgyal Gendun told Phayul that so far five people have called the department to pursue the appeal from his office. “Anyone who wishes to volunteer can offer their services at the place of their residence, as and when their service is required,” he said.
Earlier the exile Tibetan government’s Kashag (Cabinet) said it has sanctioned 30 lakh Rupees for the prevention and assistance of any task related to the Covid-19. 8 lakh Rupees have already been released to the Department of Health. Deputy Secretary Gendun said all hospitals and dispensaries under the department have been notified of the availability of funds to procure basics like PPE (Personal Protective Equipments).
The President Dr. Lobsang Sangay on Friday said that all hospitals under the CTA is optimally ready to its capacity as he rated the readiness index of those hospital to 81%. The Covid-19 task force will further elaborate on what that rating entails in the coming week, he said.
The call for volunteers comes at a time when India is facing a spike in Covid-19 cases despite the all India lockdown with only hospitals and essential personnel permitted to operate. At the time of reporting, there were 6,671 confirmed cases and death toll of 206. Sources say that in light of the developments, the Indian government is keen on extending the 21-day lockdown scheduled to end on April 14.
