In the past couple of years, the government has also launched numerous financial support schemes for creating the appropriate environment for growth as well as augmenting public-private infrastructure of hospitals and public-funded labs across the country, Pawar informed.
The government has come with a plan to handle a surge of up to five lakh Covid-19 cases per day, by making healthcare preparations, but at the same time it implied that such a high number of cases will not be reported in the future. While speaking at a press conference, NITI Aayog health member V K Paul listed out details of the country’s preparation and said that 8.36 lakh hospital beds are available for Covid-19 patients in the country and almost one million (9,69,885) additional isolation beds are available in dedicated Covid-19 care centres that are complementing home care.
1,200 PSA oxygen plants operational
He said that, 4.86 lakh oxygen supported beds and 1.35 lakh ICU beds are available and added that the preparedness is not low, though the number of cases are low at present.
About 1,200 Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) oxygen plants are functional at present and there is no district in the country where such a plant is not working, he added.
Lav Agarwal, the Health Ministry joint secretary said the government is leaving no stone unturned to ensure full preparedness to tackle any surge. He added that the next three months are very crucial in the country’s battle against Covid-19.
Published: October 7, 2021, 21:24 IST
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