Karnataka to call for global tender to procure 2 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses

By Team Newsable | First Published May 12, 2021, 2:33 PM IST

Apart from this, the authorities have also been instructed to procure one lakh pulse oximeters and distribute them to all the districts and taluks.

With Karnataka seeing an alarming surge in coronavirus cases, the state government Tuesday decided to invite global tenders from vaccine manufacturers to procure Covid-19 vaccines. The state is facing a severe shortage of vaccines for those in the 18-45 age bracket.

Deputy Chief Minister and state Covid task force head Dr CN Ashwath Narayan said that to meet the increased demand and to facilitate vaccination of the age group of 18-44 years, 2 crore Covid vaccines will be procured through a global tender.

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"In addition to this an order has been placed for three crore vaccines which include one crore Covaxin and two crores Covishield," he informed.

“Till now, we had depended only on vaccines supplied by the central government, and it had not been procured from the open market. Now, it has been decided to float the tender and to complete the process within seven days,” Narayan added.

Apart from this, health officials have been instructed to procure one lakh pulse oximeters and distribute them to all the districts and taluks.

“It will be the responsibility of the district health officers and taluk health officers to collect the pulse oximeters back after the infected patient recovers from Covid. These can then be kept in a pulse oximeter bank,” he said.

Narayan also said 10 lakh tablets of Ivermectin have been procured for Covid patients, and their supply will begin on May 14. It has been further decided to procure 25 lakh more tablets and make them available to all hospitals across the state.

“Thirty-five lakh zinc tablets and one crore calcigen tablets will be procured and made available in all district hospitals, taluk hospitals, PHCs, and community health centres,” the deputy CM added.

The state, which is reporting more than 40,000 new Covid-19 cases daily, currently has a stock of 10.50 lakh RAT (Rapid Antigen Tests) kits and according to the minister, “this will last for seven days. A total of 50,000 RAT kits are being supplied every day. In addition to this, it has been decided to procure 37 lakh RT-PCR kits,” Narayan said.

NOTE: Asianet News humbly requests everyone to wear masks, sanitize, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated as soon as eligible. Together we can and will break the chain #ANCares #IndiaFightsCorona

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