Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while presiding over the meeting to review the Covid-19 situation in the State said that 1036 additional oxygen concentrators would be made available to the State from the Centre Government and would be delivered soon.Jai Ram Thakur said that proper supply of oxygen cylinders should be maintained in the State so that patients do not suffer for want of oxygen. He said that the State Government has also urged the Centre to increase the oxygen quota for the State by 10 MT. He said that Central Government has already increased oxygen quota from 15 MT to 30 MT. He said that State has already 6200 D- Type and 2200 B- Type cylinders to cater to the needs of the patients. He said that 250 cylinders have been procured by the State from different agencies under CSR.Chief Minister said that the State Government was also endeavouring to have 20 kiloliter oxygen cryogenic tanks for the State. He said that two such tanks would be placed at IGMC Shimla and Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College Tanda. He said that efforts must also be made to get more oxygen cylinders under CSR.
Jai Ram Thakur said that efforts should be made to have manifold oxygen facility in all the 200 bedded and above hospitals in the State. He said that special campaign must be launched to identify patients with any symptoms so that they could be tested immediately and provided treatment accordingly. He also felt the need to initiate better mechanism for covid-19 management in the State. He said that special awareness campaign must be launched in rural areas to sensitize the people about seriousness of this virus.Chief Minister said that perfect plan must be prepared for capacity enhancement and reducing death rate due to the virus. He said that additional facilities must also be created particularly in Hamirpur and Una districts. He said that possibility should also be explored to take up the matter with AIIMS authorities of Bilaspur for treatment of Covid-19 patients.Health Minister Dr. Rajiv Saizal, Political Advisor to Chief Minister Trilok Jamwal, Chief Secretary Anil Khachi, Additional Chief Secretary J.C. Sharma, Secretary Health Amitabh Awasthi, Mission Director National Health Mission Dr. Nipun Jindal, Special Secretary Arindam Chaudhary, Director Health Services Dr. B.B. Katoch, Principal, IGMC Dr. Rajneesh Pathania, Senior Medical Superintendent IGMC Dr. Janak Raj and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.