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New Delhi, Apr 16 (UNI) The Centre on Friday advised the state of Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh to increase the number of isolation beds, oxygen beds, ventilators/ICU beds, ambulance fleet as per requirement; plan for adequate oxygen supply; and focus on mortality reduction by early identification of positive cases and adherence to national treatment protocol.
While reviewing the Covid status in both states, Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla along with Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, the shortage of hospital infrastructure such as ICU and oxygen supported hospitals beds resulting in difficulty to the public in easily accessing critical healthcare services were discussed in comprehensive detail, requiring an urgent ramping up of hospital infrastructure.
After a detailed and comprehensive review, the 5-fold strategy for tackling the recent surge was re-emphasised and states were asked to significantly increase testing in all districts with a minimum of 70 percent RT-PCR tests and use of Rapid Antigen Tests as screening tests in densely populated areas as well as areas where fresh clusters are emerging.
Strict and effective compliance of COVID safe behavior including strict limitation of unnecessary movement of people and crowds were also suggested to break the transmission chain whereas time-bound plan of 100 percent vaccination of eligible population groups, especially in the high focus districts was advised to both states.
During the review meeting, both States have been advised to increase dedicated COVID19 beds and use the available buildings in the Hospital campus (including AIIMS) for creation of additional COVID19 dedicated wards. They were also advised to make use of the hospitals of Union Ministries and PSUs for treating COVID-19 patients.
Mr Bhushan also informed that the Union Health Ministry has been informing States every day in the morning of the day’s supply of COVID19 Vaccines to the States, to enable better planning for optimum utilisation of the Vaccines.
The States were suggested to augment health workforce would be needed in the coming days for contact tracing and house-to-house survey for the symptomatic patients. The States were advised deployment of volunteers of NSS, NYK, women Self Help Groups (SHGs), and hiring retired doctors/paramedics on contracts under National Health Mission funds
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