Health workers examine migrant labourers for Covid-19 symptoms in Uttar Pradesh last year.
There is a government hospital nearby but it has no available beds and the villagers say they cannot afford private clinics. Some believe lying under the neem tree, known for its medicinal properties, will raise their oxygen levels.“When people become breathless, they have to go under trees to raise their oxygen levels,” said Sanjay Singh, whose 74-year-old father died a few days ago after developing a fever.“People are dying and there is nobody to look after us,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is facing criticism for failing to prepare for the second wave, said in a speech last week that the pandemic was spreading fast in the villages and urged people not to ignore the symptoms.But in this village, people are making do as best they can.