Dist Admin Anantnag DDC meet to discuss effective response to surge in COVID-19 cases

Anantnag  :At the behest of District Development Commissioner, Dr PiyushSingla a special meeting was organized by District Administration in which members of the District Development Council Anantnag and senior District Officers participated to chalk out an effective mitigation strategy for COVID-19 in the district.
The meet was attended by Chairman DDC Council, MY Gorsi, Vice Chairperson, ADDC, CMO, all members of the District Development Council, ACD and ACP, BDCs among others.
At the outset, DDC Chairman MY Gorsi said that the COVID threat is looming large globally and there has been an upsurge in cases in the district recently. He said that while institutional readiness and capacity building is adequately catered to, the PRI members have an important role to play by spreading awareness and disseminating information at the ground level through the three tier panchayati raj system.
He said the PRIs can also provide feedback on ground level preparedness so that any additional measures can be taken to fill in the gaps.
The ADDC said that the main purpose of organizing the joint deliberation is to delve deeply into the issue at hand and come up with an effective mitigation strategy. He said that the PRIs are the representatives of the people and have an important input in designing an effective awareness campaign so that people are aware of the precautions they must take. He said they also are instrumental to ensure mass participation in the ongoing vaccination process.
CMO Anantnag briefed the attendees about the availability of sufficient infrastructure in the district to tackle the upsurge in cases. He said that sufficient oxygen supported beds are available in the district. Oxygen plants and Oxygen cylinders have also been kept on the ready in various sub divisional facilities to meet the oxygen demand in case of hospitalization, he added.
He said, a contingency plan to deal with any further upsurge has been chalked out. He said that most of the cases in the present wave are mild but it is important that people take precautions, use masks at all times and ensure social distancing.
He said that people should get vaccinated, particularly the elderly should get a booster dose. He said that the PRIs must emphasize among the public that use of masks and social distancing must be adhered to.
The DDC members said that they will convey the message among the people. They said that since social media has a wide reach, a social media campaign will be initiated to motivate people. They said they will also meet with local influencers, particularly notable personalities and religious leaders and urge them to follow covid appropriate behavior in masjids, at social gatherings. They also said that they will appeal to people to avoid any unnecessary gathering and urge them to adhere to COVID SOPs.
ACD Anantnag informed the attendees that COVID Care centres have been set up in each panchayat and have been adequately equipped with manpower and machinery to cater to local COVID cases. He urged the PRIs to evaluate the facilities in their jurisdiction and report any inadequacies.
Further, he said that PRIs must ensure that patients do not directly approach the hospitals unnecessarily. It is essential that only patients that require urgent intervention are referred to hospitals by the medical staff at CCCs.
DDC Vice Chairperson Advocate Sheikh Javaid Ahmad said that the pandemic is under control and people should not panic but there is no alternative to taking necessary precautions. He said that the district administration is on toes and making all necessary efforts to prevent the spread of this virus.
During the meeting officers and DDC members assured of their full support and cooperation during this difficult phase of pandemic like before to make efforts of the government successful.