The state health minister Banna Gupta, inarguable the one who is facing the brickbats from people battling a pandemic, agrees that the going has been tough, but says that Jharkhand is definitely better prepared to deal with Covid-19 now than it was four months ago.

Gupta admits there is a crisis of hospital beds. Therefore, he advocates a change in the line of action. “After discussions with chief minister Hemant Soren we might decide on home quarantine for asymptomatic patients and those with mild symptoms,” he says.

The minister agrees that the Jharkhand, and other poor states like it, would have to develop a far robust health infrastructure because “we don’t know what lies in the future”. He also seems to suggest that lockdowns are perhaps not the best way forward for a state like Jharkhand. We don’t want people to suffer any more. We may look at graded restrictions in red, orange and green zones,” he tells The Telegraph Online in an exclusive interview. Excerpts.

TTOnline: How far has the state been successful in controlling the pandemic?

BG: The government is working to its full capacity and with commitment. We started work even when there were few cases. This is not only a state problem. It is an international issue. The death rate in Jharkhand is lower than the rest of the country, but even one death is a loss to us. Yes, patients with high blood pressure, diabetes and kidney issues are at greater risk. Age is another factor.

People are confused about costs, be it a Covid test or treatment in private hospitals.

The government has arranged for free treatment. Four laboratories, approved for Covid testing by the state government, used to charge Rs 4,500 per test. But we reduced it to Rs 2,400. The problem is that nobody was ready to deal with the coronavirus. At the beginning people demanded ventilators and oxygen cylinders. But it was found that the line of treatment was different for patients. Someone who is asymptomatic or has mild symptoms can be cured with simple precautions. For private hospitals, the cost depends on the seriousness of the ailment. However, if any private hospital flouts state government guidelines, they will be penalised.

The fear is that there aren’t enough beds for Covid patients.

I agree that there is a crisis of beds in hospitals, but hospitals are trying to manage. We have to come up with more Covid hospitals. I have also asked the East Singhbhum deputy commissioner to set up more Covid hospitals, may be, at JRD Tata Sports Complex and DBMS School.

People are being told they are Covid positive verbally. They are not getting their reports.

There is a backlog of reports and we are trying our best to resolve it. Recently, paramedical staff went on strike which added to the backlog. We have plans to increase testing facilities. We have already made new BSL (bio safety level) labs in Palamau. Others will soon be established in Dumka and Hazaribagh. Compared to just one lab that conducted RT-PCR tests earlier, we have now established multiple labs with the permission of ICMR.

Are you planning anything specific for asymptomatic patients or those with mild symptoms?

There is a need to change the line of action. After discussions with chief minister Hemant Soren we might decide on home quarantine for asymptomatic patients and those with mild symptoms. The only way we can all be safe is through physical distancing and some changes in our habits.

Has the government thought about insurance for doctors and health workers?

They are our frontline workers and we are indebted to them. The government has linked health workers with insurance coverage of up to Rs 50 lakh. We are working on certain incentives too.

Is there a monitoring mechanism for quarantine centres and hospitals?

Nothing so far. But we are installing CCTV cameras to monitor cleanliness, hygiene and quality of food being served at quarantine centres and isolation wards.

Any plan to deal with the social stigma associated with Covid?

There is a lot of awareness. People will gradually understand that we need to care for each other. Many have Covid patients in their homes and are dealing with it.

Do you agree the state needs better health infrastructure?

We don’t know what lies in the future. We had never heard of Covid. Likewise, we hardly know what kind of diseases will emerge as a result of global warming. So, governments will have to invest in research.

East Singhbhum now has the maximum deaths in the state.

East Singhbum is surrounded by West Bengal and Odisha. Bihar isn’t too far. People migrate. The total number of deaths in the district also includes those who have come from elsewhere.

What is the government’s thinking on lockdowns?

The chief minister has to take the final call. But lockdowns affect states badly, especially a state like ours which comprises mostly poor people. We don’t want people to suffer any more. Our focus now is to reduce Covid numbers. We may look at graded restrictions in red, orange and green zones.