It is no secret that the government of Telangana is not responding well to the current situation of Coronavirus in the state, which is only worsening by the day. The government was being applauded by the way it kept everyone informed at the beginning of the crisis. However, once things started to get a little more complicated, the government is nowhere to be seen.
The recent statements by Health Minister Etala Rajendar Reddy are the perfect example of just how carelessly the situation is being handled. The health minister said that if a diabeteic patient has died because of Coronavirus, then the death would not be considered as a Corona death. Instead, it would be considered as a diabetic death. Similarly, if a cancer patient passes away because of Coronavirus, then that death will be exclusive of death due to coronavirus. The minister further went on to say that if a healthy person has died due to coronavirus, only then would that be considered as a death due to coronavirus.
These blasphemous statements have appalled people everywhere. The neighboring state of Andhra Pradesh has recorded more than 1000 deaths, whereas Telangana has barely recorded 500 deaths. It is now slowly becoming clear why the state is reporting fewer deaths than any other state in comparison. It is downright ridiculousness for the health minister, and the government as a whole to not consider the aforementioned deaths as Coronavirus deaths.
On the other hand, the situation in government hospitals assigned to treat Coronavirus is in a totally disastrous state, with no proper amenities or facilities, and the patients not even being treated properly. At the beginning of this crisis, Chief Minister KCR said that he would be establishing TIMS (Telangana Institute of Medical Sciences), with 1500 beds, to especially combat Coronavirus. Three months later, the CM is not even uttering a single word about the same.
It is also very apparent that the state of Telangana is still not conducting enough tests, despite the many warnings from the High Court. While Andhra Pradesh is conducting at least 50,000 tests per day, Telangana is failing to conduct 15,000 tests. This is the perfect example of exactly how transparent the state government is being. The High Court had previously warned the government that it would have to face severe consequences if it did not keep the people of the state up to date about the current circumstances. It is now to be seen how the High Court will respond to the latest statements by the Health Minister. The Chief Minister has also not responded to Etala’s comments.