PM reviews Covid response; says there is no substitute to testing, tracking and treatment
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated that last year India had defeated Covid together, and it can do the same again but at faster speed and coordination.
FollowPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday took stock of the preparedness to combat the second wave of Coronavirus cases in the country.Â
During the review meeting, Prime Minister Modi was briefed on medicines, oxygen, ventilators and vaccination.
Prime Minister Modi reiterated that last year India had defeated Covid together, and it can do the same again but at faster speed and coordination.
Stressing upon the fact that there is no substitute for testing, tracking and treatment, Prime Minister Modi said: "Early testing and proper tracking remains key to reduce mortality."
Calling upon local administrations to be sensitive to people's concerns, the Prime Minister directed officials to ensure that close coordination with states in handling the pandemic.Â
All necessary steps must be taken to ramp up the availability of hospital beds for Covid patients, he said, adding that additional supply of beds through temporary hospitals and isolation centres should be ensured.
The review meeting also discussed utilising the full potential of India's pharmaceutical industry to meet the rising demand for various medicines.Â
Hours after the Maharashtra government accused the Centre of blocking the supply of anti-viral drug Remdesivir, Prime Minister Modi was briefed on steps being taken to address the issue of availability of Remdesivir.Â
The officials informed Prime Minister Modi that production augmentation for manufacturing Remdesivir had been ramped up to provide around 74.10 lakh vials per month in May, while the normal production output in January-February being just 27-29 lakh vials per month.Â
The officials further said that supplies have increased from 67,900 vials on April 11 to over 2,06,000 vials on April 15, which are being focused on states with high caseload and high demand.Â
The Prime Minister told officials to ensure that the use of Remdesivir and other medicines is in line with approved medical guidelines and that their misuse and black marketing must be strictly curbed.
To address the issue of availability of medical oxygen, the Prime Minister directed officials to speed up the installation of approved medical oxygen plants.Â
Notably, 162 Â Pressure swing adsorption oxygen plants are being installed in 32 states and Union Territories utilising funds from the PM CARES fund.Â
The officers informed the Prime Minister that 1 lakh cylinders are being procured, and they will be supplied to the states soon. The officers briefed the PM that a supply mapping plan has been worked out for 12 high-burden states till April 30.
The Prime Minister also reviewed the availability and supply of ventilators. The Prime Minister noted that a real-time monitoring system had been created and directed that concerned State governments should be sensitised to use the system proactively.
