Study Delhi, Maharashtra models to fight Covid: Telangana CM to officials

HYDERABAD: Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has asked health department officials to study the successful Covid containment strategies of Delhi, Maharashtra and other states. “Delhi has successfully controlled the surge in cases with lockdown and other measures. We need to study the measures and, if required, a team can visit Delhi. Nothing wrong in adopting some good practices from other states in our state,” KCR said.
The CM said the state government has been able to control the surge in Covid-19 cases and expressed satisfaction over lockdown implementation in the state. “We will become successful if the positivity rate goes below 5%. Measures should be taken to achieve this,” the chief minister said on Monday during a review meeting with health and police officials on Covid 19 and black fungus cases, lockdown implementation and vaccination.
Asking officials to adopt twin strategies - continuing fever survey in the state, giving medical kits to the needy and increasing number of tests from tomorrow. “Whoever comes to government hospitals and primary health centres for testing, they should not be denied for tests as most of them are poor. The department should procure 50 lakh rapid antigen testing kits and supply them to all the PHCs and testing centres by speaking to manufacturers,” KCR said.
The CM directed the officials to speed up recruitment of staff, doctors and other manpower at the district collectors and other health officials.
The CM directed the director of health Srinivas Rao to hold tele-conference with district medical and health officers and prepare a report on availability of infrastructure, medicines and manpower from their respective districts.
Given the intensity of the second wave of Covid-19, the chief minister said, budget allocations to some departments such as health and police is likely to go up in the current financial year. Some departments may see a drop in expenditure in pandemic time. KCR asked finance minister T Harish Rao to hold a meeting and identify departments in which budget allocations can be downsized.
Asking the officials to be ready to face a third wave if at all it comes, KCR directed industries minister KT Rama Rao to speak to vaccine manufacturers and get vaccines for those waiting for second doses. The CM also said liquid medical oxygen production should be enhanced to 600 MTs and all beds should be provided with oxygen facility.
KCR enquired about black fungus cases, availability of medicines and beds in the government hospitals. Officials informed 150 beds in Gandhi hospital, 250 beds in ENT hospital, total 400 beds have been allocated for black fungus cases.
“Another 200 beds in Sarojinidevi Eye hospital, 160 more in Gandhi hospital should be provided. We have to ensure 1,500 beds for black fungus including 1,100 in Hyderabad and 400 in districts. Required medicines should also be procured,” the chief minister said.