Centre earmarks Rs 23,123 crore emergency package to tackle COVID-19
The Central government on Thursday approved a Rs 23,000 crore relief package for combating Covid-19 and dealing with issues which occurred during the second wave.
FollowThe Central government approved a Rs 23,123-crore financial package for improving health infrastructure in the country to fight the Covid pandemic.
The decision was taken in the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is the phase 2 announcement of the 'India COVID-19 Emergency Response & Health System Preparedness Package'.
Following the meeting, new Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, during a presser, said a Rs 23,123 crore worth package has been announced by the Cabinet to deal with the problems that occurred in the second wave of Covid.
Mandaviya said it is the second phase of the Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package as the central government had given Rs 15,000 crore earlier for setting up Covid-dedicated hospitals and healthcare centres across the country.
Aiming for a significant improvement in necessary arrangements like paediatric care units to ICU beds, oxygen storage, ambulances, and medicines, this action has been executed.
Around 240,000 normal medical beds and 20,000 ICU beds would be created of which 20% would be specially earmarked for children, he said.
The Minister said storage facilities for oxygen and medicines would also be created at district level under the plan.
The plan aims to accelerate health system preparedness for immediate responsiveness for early prevention, detection and management of Covid with the focus on infrastructure development including for Paediatric Care and with measurable outcomes, he said.
"We have to collectively fight the Covid pandemic. The limitation period is maximum nine months. We have to get it done quickly," he said.
"Our duty is to help the states in every possible way," Mandaviya added.
According to the data provided by the Central Government, the relief has been announced for two major components- Central Sector (CS) and Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS).Â
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