Covid situation not alarming, Maharashtra to provide vaccines: Bharati Pawar

NASHIK: Union minister of state for health and family welfare Bharati Pawar on Monday said the Covid-19 situation in the country is not alarming and the onus of providing vaccines is on the respective state governments.
Pawar visited the Nashik Civil Hospital to check its preparedness to deal with any eventuality arising from the increase in Covid cases. She said all government hospitals must be ready to treat patients in case the number rises rapidly. The Union minister also requested people to exercise caution by wearing masks in crowded places.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted a meeting in which he asked all the government hospitals to be ready for Covid testing, and have adequate treatment infrastructure, including beds, ventilators, oxygen supply etc. in place. The state government has also been asked to provide vaccines wherever required," Pawar said.
"The Centre is continuously monitoring the Covid situation and there is no reason to panic," she added. The minister also reviewed the preparedness of the health department in a meeting at the district collectorate in which issues related to vaccination were discussed.
Municipal commissioner Chandrakant Pulkundwar, civil surgeon Dr Ashok Thorat were present. "The demand for vaccines is low at the moment. We appeal to people to ensure that they are fully vaccinated and even get booster doses.
Now, when the demand is low, the local authorities should place their demands with the state authorities who, in turn, will arrange for the vaccines. The Centre will come into the picture only when there is a large-scale demand," Pawar said.