Modi takes serious note of ventilators lying unutilised in some states provided by Centre, directs audit
16/05/2021
NEW DELHI, May 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday took serious note of some reports claiming ventilators lying unutilised in storage in some states and directed that an immediate audit of installation and operation of ventilators provided by the Central government.
During a high-level meeting on COVID-19 and the vaccination situation in the country, PM Modi said that refresher training for the proper operation of ventilators should be provided to healthcare workers if necessary. "The Prime Minister took serious note of some reports about ventilators lying unutilised in storage in some states and directed that an immediate audit of installation and operation of ventilators provided by the central government should be carried out," read a release by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Thursday had said that media reports claiming ventilators supplied by the central government to Faridkot's Guru Gobind Singh Medical College (GGSMC) and Hospital, are lying unused due to technical glitches are seen to be unfounded and not having the full information on the matter.
"There have been some media reports suggesting that Government of India supplied ventilators (supported by PM CARES) to GGS Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot, Punjab are lying unused as a result of technical glitches which have not been resolved due to poor after-sales support by the manufacturers. These reports seem to be unfounded and not having the full information on the matter," the ministry had said.
As many as 3,26,098 new COVID-19 cases, 3,53,299 discharges and 3,890 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, as per Union Health Ministry on Saturday.
The number of total cases stands at 2,43,72,907, including 2,04,32,898 recoveries, 2,66,207 deaths, and 36,73,802 active cases.
Modi chaired a high-level meeting over COVID-19 and vaccination relation situation and said that localised containment strategies are the need of the hour especially for states where test positivity rates (TPR) in districts are high.
The Prime Minister instructed that testing needs to be scaled up further with use of both RT-PCR and Rapid Antigen tests, especially in areas with high TPR. "PM Modi further said that states should be encouraged to report their numbers in a transparent manner without any pressure of high numbers showing adversely on their efforts. PM also asked for augmentation of healthcare resources in rural areas to focus on door to door testing and surveillance," read a release by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
"Discussed a number of issues during today's review meeting on COVID-19, including scaling up testing in areas with high TPR, preparing localised containment strategies, augmenting health capacities in rural areas and ramping up the speed of vaccination," PM Modi tweeted after the meeting.
PM Modi stressed upon the need of empowering ASHA and Anganwadi workers with all necessary tools. He also asked for guidelines to be made available in easy language along with illustrations for home isolation and treatment in rural areas.
Addressing the issue of oxygen supply in rural areas, he directed that a distribution plan for ensuring oxygen supply in rural areas should be worked out, including through provision of oxygen concentrators.
The Prime Minister added that necessary training should be provided to health workers for the operation of such equipment and power supply should also be ensured for smooth operation of such medical devices.
PM Modi on Saturday chaired a high-level meeting on the country's COVID-19 situation and the ongoing vaccination drive. Earlier on Wednesday, the Prime Minister also chaired a meeting to review the availability and supply of oxygen and medicines in the wake of the surge of COVID-19 cases in the country.
As many as 3,26,098 new COVID-19 cases, 3,53,299 discharges and 3,890 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, as per Union Health Ministry on Saturday.
The number of total cases stands at 2,43,72,907, including 2,04,32,898 recoveries, 2,66,207 deaths, and 36,73,802 active cases. (ANI)
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