Covid vaccine, health infra talk set the tone for ‘Mann Ki Baat’

 Over 7,000 submissions have already come in for Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ scheduled for May 30

Many citizens have expressed anguish over weak healthcare infrastructure and slow vaccination to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of his monthly radio show ‘Mann Ki Baat‘ scheduled for May 30. More than 7,000 submissions have already come in for the 77th edition, coinciding with seven years of the Modi government. Along with complaints and disappointments are suggestions to scale up hospital facilities, vaccinate faster and have daily press briefings by the PM on the Covid19 situation in the country.

“Please build government hospitals all over India and even in small villages…. focus on health infrastructure… everyone is blaming the government about medical facilities and infrastructure, so please focus on health infrastructure,” writes a young professional. The absence of confidence in the healthcare system is making things worse and therefore the need of the day was to focus on the infrastructure, according to another submission.

On vaccination, there’s been a rush of letters complaining about unavailability of jabs. “Whenever we search the apps for vaccination centres, the message that flashes is “no centre available”,” says a person looking for a slot in the 18 to 44 age group in Mumbai. “Mr Prime Minister Sir, I request you to kindly help,” the person further said. Not everyone is so kind though, with some expressing their regret that the government has not returned the favour of their vote in 2014 and 2019. And some others have directed the government to “send sufficient vaccine doses immediately”.