The Union Health Secretary, Rajesh Bhushan, recently chaired a high-level meeting with States and Union Territories (UTs) to review the preparedness status for managing the COVID-19 pandemic. During the meeting, Bhushan referred to the message of Prime Minister Modi from the high-level review meeting held on 22nd March 2023 and advised States and UTs to be on alert and ensure preparedness for COVID-19 management. He also cautioned them against complacency and asked them to follow up on the priorities listed in the joint advisory issued by the Department of Health Research and Department of Health and Family Welfare on 25th March 2023.
The meeting covered a comprehensive presentation on the global COVID-19 situation, including the rising cases in India. States and UTs were briefed that India has been witnessing an increase in COVID-19 cases, with average daily cases rising to 966 in the week ending 23rd March 2023, from 313 average daily cases in the week ending 3rd March 2023. The weekly positivity rate has also gone up to 1.08 during the same time.
Bhushan advised States and UTs to undertake mock drills on 10th and 11th April 2023, across all health facilities, to ensure operational readiness of Hospital Infrastructure, including Oxygen Cylinders, PSA plants, ventilators, logistics, and human resources. He also informed them about the status of the last mock drill conducted on 27th Dec 2023. The drills were conducted in a total of 21,939 facilities, including 16,601 government facilities and 5,338 private facilities. Over 94% of PSA plants and oxygen concentrators were found functional across the country, while over 87% of ICU beds, ventilators, O2 beds, and isolation beds were found in working condition.
Dr V K Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, highlighted the need for increased vigil due to the prevalence of new variants and vaccine immunity across the country currently at a modest level. He urged States to increase preparedness, including a higher level of RT-PCR tests, and called for increasing the coverage of precaution doses among the population.
Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research, encouraged States to ramp up testing, especially RT-PCR tests, and maintain precautions. He also asked them to follow the advisory sent from the Union Health Ministry and increase community awareness. He also urged States showing a higher number of cases to monitor clusters of new cases and severe cases.
The meeting had a comprehensive and detailed discussion on various aspects of COVID management. States appreciated the timely review meetings chaired by PM Modi and the Union Health Minister and advisories from the Union Health Ministry. They assured that they will work with the Centre for effective prevention and management of COVID-19. States also assured they will hold mock drills for readiness of hospital infrastructure on 10th – 11th April 2023.
