AMN / WEB DESK
Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday reviewed the Public Health Preparedness for containment and management of COVID19 and National COVID-19 Vaccination Progress with five Eastern States of the country. Dr Mandaviya virtually interacted with State Health Ministers and Principal Secretaries and Additional Chief Secretaries and Information Commissioners of five eastern States of Odisha, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and West Bengal. During the interaction, the Union Health Minister said that the fight against COVID is a joint effort and joint responsibility of the Centre and States and we have faced this public health challenge with a collaborative spirit.
Dr. Mandaviya said that irrespective of the COVID variants, ‘Test-Track-Treat-Vaccinate and adherence to COVID Appropriate Behaviour’ continue to remain the tested strategy for COVID management. He said, while the active cases in most of the states and the positivity rate have shown a fall in the last two week, there is still a need to be vigilant and not lower our guard. He urged these States to monitor the case positivity rate on a daily basis and increase RT-PCR testing rates as most of the states exhibited lower share of PT-PCR tests. During the review meeting, States were also advised to keep a close watch on the number of hospitalisations and deaths.
The Union Health Minister reiterated his advice for all states to fully and effectively utilise the ECRP-II funds for strengthening the existing healthcare infrastructure and create new as per requirement.
Highlighting vaccination as a critical tool for pandemic management, Dr Mandaviya advised the States to accelerate vaccination of all eligible population and those whose second dose is due. Highlighting the importance of tele-consultation through platforms such as eSanjeevani, Dr. Mandaviya suggested to establish tele-consultation hubs in every district hospital and ramp up creation of spokes at all Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centres at the earliest.
The virtual meeting was also attended by Union Minister of State for Health Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar. The State Health Ministers unanimously thanked the Union Health Minister for the continued support from Government of India for management of the COCID pandemic.