Manipur govt to bear cremation, burial expenses of COVID-19 victims

Imphal: Manipur government will bear the cremation and burial expenses of COVID-19 victims in the state, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said after interacting with isolation patients through video conferencing to understand their inconveniences and grievances. 

“Through these interactions, I have learnt about the challenges faced by the families who are grieving the death of loved ones,” said CM Biren Singh on his Facebook page.

“Considering the trauma and financial burden faced by the families due to the death of their loved ones in this pandemic, we have decided to bear the cost of cremating the unfortunate victims of COVID-19, he added.

“I am thankful to the patients who joined me in the virtual meeting today and shared their inputs. Rest assured, your inputs have been noted and we will surely incorporate them in our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

During the interaction, the chief minister also informed that the interaction session would continue every day at 7 pm till all patients are covered. 

Singh urged them not to panic and fight the virus with a positive mind. At the same time, Singh cautioned, people need to be careful and strictly follow SOPs because many have fallen prey to the pandemic while many are undergoing treatment in different hospitals and COVID-19 Care Centres.

Singh further said that many had recovered from home isolation treatment. However, considering people’s apprehension, proper monitoring of home isolation patients had already been intensified, and different measures had been put in place to ensure medicines and pulse oximeters reach patients on time, he added.

The chief minister noted all their grievances and assured them to instruct the officials concerned for early necessary action.

CAF and PD Minister Th Satyabrata, State Planning Board Deputy Chairman L Rameshwor, Advisor to CM (Health) Dr Sapam Ranjan and Principal Secretary (Health) V Vumlunmang were also present during the interaction session.