Surge in COVID-19 cases: PM Narendra Modi reviews status of preparedness
He reviewed the status of availability and supply of ventilators. He also said misuse and black marketing of remdesivir must be strictly curbed
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 17 chaired a meeting to review the status of preparedness to handle the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Various aspects relating to medicines, oxygen, ventilators and vaccination were discussed.
Modi stressed that there is no substitute to testing, tracking and treatment. Early testing and proper tracking remains key to reduce mortality. He also said that local administrations need to be proactive and sensitive to people’s concerns.
Modi directed that close coordination with states must be ensured in handling the pandemic. He said that all necessary measures must be taken to ramp up the availability of hospital beds for Covid patients. The Prime Minister also directed that additional supply of beds through temporary hospitals and isolation centres should be ensured.
He spoke about the need to utilise the full potential of India’s pharmaceutical industry to meet the rising demand of various medicines. He reviewed the status of supply of Remdesivir and other medicines.
The Prime Minister was briefed on actions taken to address the issue of availability of remdesivir. He said use of remdesivir and other medicines must be in accordance with approved medical guidelines and their misuse and black marketing must be strictly curbed.
On the issue of supply of medical oxygen, he said installation of approved medical oxygen plants should be sped up.
The Prime Minister also said that supply of oxygen required for production of medicines and equipment necessary to handle the pandemic should also be ensured.
The Prime Minister also reviewed the status of availability and supply of ventilators. The Prime Minister noted that a real time monitoring system has been created, and directed that concerned state governments should be sensitized to use the system proactively.
On the issue of vaccination, the Prime Minister directed all officials to make efforts to utilize the entire national capacity, in public as well as private sector, to ramp up vaccine production.