Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya reviews Covid preparedness with all states

GUWAHATI: Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya reviewed the Covid-19 preparedness with all states through virtual mode today.

The meeting was attended by Assam Health Minister Keshab Mahanta through VC from the Deputy Commissioner's Office, Dhemaji. Avinash Joshi, IAS, Principal Secretary - Health and Family Welfare, Dr MS Lakshmi Priya, IAS, Mission Director - National Health Mission, Assam, Dr. Nilmadhab Das, Director of Health Services, Dr Manoj Kumar Choudhury, Executive Director - National Health Mission, Assam, Pankaj Chamuah, ACS, OSD - National Health Mission, Assam and other senior Health Department Officials attended from the Office of the Mission Director, NHM Assam.

In view of the recent outbreak of COVID-19 causing panic in Japan, the USA, South Korea, Brazil and China, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India had expressed concern over the situation. In this regard, MoHFW had advised all states to be on high alert to deal with any possible outbreak and emergency situation in the country. The Ministry of Health has also advised all states to significantly increase genome sequencing.

The Union Health Minister directed all states to undertake a Mock Drill across all health facilities uniformly across the country on Tuesday, 27th December 2022. The drill is to ensure operational readiness for the management of Covid-19 with a special focus on Health Infrastructure, Oxygen Plants, Ventilators, Logistics, ICU, beds, and consumables, among others.

The Union Health Minister has also urged all the states to step-up testing, increase community vigilance, increase the administration of precautionary doses and follow Covid appropriate behaviour at all times.

State Health Minister Keshab Mahanta informed in the meeting that Assam is on alert and fully prepared to tackle any Covid-19 situation. He said that the state has all the required logistical support, consumables, beds, oxygen status, ICU and other necessary items to deal with any emergency situation. He also informed the Union Health Minister that he had reviewed the Covid-19 preparedness with top Health Officials yesterday (22 December 2022). He requested officials of the Union Ministry to supply an adequate number of Covid-19 Vaccines for precautionary doses as soon as possible.

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare also issued revised guidelines for International Travelers. As per the SoP, all travellers should preferably be fully vaccinated as per the approved primary schedule of vaccination against COVID-19 in their country, a press release said.

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