Amid spike in COVID cases in Singapore and Hongkong, Health Ministry issues advisory, allays fears

New Delhi,Chennai|May,19 : Amid rising concerns over increasing COVID cases in Singapore and Hong Kong, which is said to be not life threatening, Union Health Minister J P Nadda allayed the fears of the public and reviewed the situation at a High Level Meeting on Emergency Health Systems Preparedness to prevent spread in India.
An official release said the Health MInistry said urgent and comprehensive measures were taken to strengthen Health Systems and Resources across the Country ensuring availability of medicines in hospitals, including equipment and beds to tackle any emergency.
The current status of medical preparedness for handling emergency cases was presented to him and the Ministry was closely monitoring the situation. He was apprised of the actions taken regarding deployment of ambulances; ensuring adequate availability of medical supplies including equipment, medicines, supply of blood vials and consumables; hospital readiness in terms of beds, ICU and HDU; deployment of BHISHM Cubes, advanced mobile trauma care units etc. Hospitals and medical institutions have been advised to ensure availability of essential drugs, adequate supply of blood, oxygen, trauma care kits etc. AIIMS New Delhi and other central government hospitals have mobilised doctors and nurses with supplies for ready deployment.
The Minister also directed to develop ground level linkages at State level and all districts, besides armed forces to tight the emergency response system. They have been advised to coordinate with state and district administration, armed forces and regional associations of doctors, nurses, paramedics, private sector hospitals, charitable institutions etc., to strengthen the emergency response networks in a collaborative manner. Additionally, nationwide mock drills for disaster preparedness have been conducted at AIIMS, PGIMER, JIPMER and other premier hospitals. For capacity building in emergency healthcare, additional training modules for CPR, first aid, and basic life support are being rolled out with support from Indian Red Cross Society, National Institute of Health & Family Welfare (NIHFW), AIIMS, New Delhi and iGOT. The Union Health Secretary apprised about series of her meetings with states/UTs, and central government hospitals and healthcare institutes for seamless coordination with relevant stakeholders at the centre and within the states for ensuring effective response.
Union Health Minister has directed to ensure that all medical emergency response health systems be adequately equipped and functional at all times. He also directed to ensure that ground level linkages with all state governments particularly at the district levels, especially border states, be effectively established to ensure immediate emergency healthcare, if required. He also directed that a 24 x7 control and command centre in the Ministry should monitor ongoing efforts and support states in the present times. Union Health Ministry is closely monitoring the situation and remains committed to ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services and emergency response across all regions.