Guwahati: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will virtually evaluate the Covid-19 situation, public health preparation, and response actions being done in Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh in the context of the Omicron strain of SARS-CoV-2 at 3 pm today.
Mandaviya held a high-level meeting with Southern state and UT health ministers on Friday, emphasising the importance of e-Sanjeevani, teleconsultation, monitoring home isolation, and improving RTPCR in states with low percentage testing.
Dr. K Sudhakar (Karnataka), Dr. Veena George (Kerala), Ma Subramaniam (Tamil Nadu), and Thanneeru Harish Rao (Telangana) were among the state health ministers who attended the high-level review meeting.
He also asked the states to speed up the immunisation of children aged 15 to 17 and those who are due for their second dosage.
He held a high-level conference with nine Northern States and UTs earlier this week, advising them to deliver Covid testing and immunisation results as soon as possible.
In addition, the Union Health Minister stated that testing should be increased in states where it has decreased.
He also recommended states and UTs to ensure that those in home isolation are monitored effectively in accordance with the National Guidelines.
“This will ensure that the vulnerable categories of active cases in home isolation get the medical treatment they need as soon as possible,” he stated.
Mandaviya said that with our past experience, `Test-Track-Treat-Vaccinate & Adherence to Covid Appropriate Behaviour` along with monitoring of cases remains crucial for Covid management. The Union Health Minister also advised States and UTs to use the hub-and-spoke teleconsultation approach.
Mandaviya also urged the nine states and territories to review and expedite the implementation of activities under the India Covid-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package: Phase-II (ECRP-II package), which was approved by the Union Cabinet in light of the second wave of the pandemic and is worth Rs 23,123 crores.
“Health Ministers and state officials must close the existing gaps by judiciously using funds set aside for various infrastructure projects. We can better prepare for any health emergency or public health disaster if our health infrastructure is enhanced “he added.