Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called for close coordination between the Centre and the states in handling the COVID-19 pandemic and said all necessary measures must be taken to ramp up the availability of hospital beds for patients. Modi, who chaired a review meeting amid the alarming surge in COVID-19 cases across the country, also directed that additional supply of beds through temporary hospitals and isolation centres should be ensured.
According to a PMO release, various aspects relating to medicines, oxygen, ventilators and vaccination were discussed at the meeting which was attended by cabinet secretary, principal secretary to PM, Union home secretary, Union health secretary and pharma secretary, besides Niti Aayog member Dr V.K. Paul.
Stressing that there is no substitute to testing, tracking and treatment, Modi said 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.
“India had defeated Covid last year and India can do it again, with the same principles but faster speed and coordination,” the prime minister said.
At the meeting, Modi was briefed on actions taken to address the issue of availability of Remdesivir, a key drug used in the COVID-19 treatment. According to the PMO release, the capacity and production augmentation for manufacturing of Remdesivir has been ramped up to provide around 74.10 lakh vials per month in May while the normal production output in January-February was just 27-29 lakh vials per month, the PMO said. Supplies have also increased from 67,900 vials on 11th April going up to over 2,06,000 vials on 15th April 2021 which are being particularly focused on states with high caseload and high demand, it said.
The prime minister directed that the use of Remdesivir and other medicines be in accordance with approved medical guidelines, and that their misuse and black marketing must be strictly curbed.
Modi was also briefed on the issue of supply of medical oxygen. As many as 162 PSA oxygen plants are being installed in 32 states/UTs using PM CARES fund.
The officers informed the prime minister that one lakh oxygen cylinders are being procured and they will be supplied to states soon. They also briefed the PM that they are in constant supply with 12 high burden states in assessing the current and future requirement of medical oxygen. A supply mapping plan for 12 high burden states till 30th April has also been undertaken.
Modi said that the supply of oxygen required for production of medicines and equipment necessary to handle the pandemic should also be ensured. He also directed that the installation of approved medical oxygen plants should be sped up.
Taking note of the status of availability and supply of ventilators, the prime minister said that a real time monitoring system has been created, and directed that the state governments concerned should be sensitized to use the system proactively.
Modi further directed all officials to make efforts to utilize the entire national capacity, in public as well as private sector, to ramp up vaccine production.
