Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while presiding over virtual meeting with the Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police, Chief Medical Officers, Principals and Medical Superintendents of all the Medical Colleges of the State to review the Covid-19 situation in the State from Shimla today said that the medical fraternity must plan well in advance the probable requirements and logistics to effectively tackle the probable third wave of Corona virus.Chief Minister said that world over it was being speculated that third wave if so happens could prove more concerning for children, therefore, greater stress must be laid on strengthening pediatric wards and services in all the health institutions. He said that special focus must be laid on strengthening of health infrastructure related to pediatrics. He said that possibilities must be explored for vaccination of pregnant women in the State.Jai Ram Thakur said that, with the active support of all the stakeholders, the State Government had successfully overcome the first wave of Corona pandemic and now hopefully the State was gradually coming out from the second wave. He said that still we have to be more vigilant as the pandemic was not yet over. He said that with gradual reduction in number of Corona cases in the State the people may at time adopt casual approach, thus, opinion makers must persuade them to be more alert.Chief Minister said that the Information Education and Communication activities were very vital for sensitizing the people for removing the stigma associated with the Covid-19. He said that the opinion makers, local leaders and elected representatives of PRIs must be involved to educate the people regarding the stigma associated with this virus. He said that now gradually efforts must be made to de-notify the dedicated Covid-19 hospitals where there were no Covid-19 patients to facilitate the patients of other diseases. He said that similarly, efforts must be made to demobilize private hospitals requisitioned by the State Government.
Jai Ram Thakur said that the twin strategy for testing, tracing and treatment alongwith effective surveillance must remain even now a priority as the crisis was not yet over. He said that all the Deputy Commissioners must ensure to increase the number of testing being done in their respective districts. He said that the State Health Department must ensure minimum wastage of vaccine as the nation and state cannot afford it.98. Chief Minister said that Health Department must take effective steps to provide manifold oxygen facilities in all the 50 bedded and more hospitals in the State. He said that proper inventory of oxygen cylinders and storage must be ensured. He said that since about 11000 people were still in home isolation, therefore, it was vital to maintain close coordination with them to regularly monitor their health parameters. He said that presently eight PSA oxygen plants were functioning in the State and three more would be made functional soon.Jai Ram Thakur said that it was not possible to keep the restrictions going on for a very long time thus if the cases keep on decreasing with the same pace, the State Government may consider some relaxations in the Corona curfew in the time to come.Chief Secretary Anil Khachi said that it was need of the hour for ensuring that all the stakeholders be more vigilant and keep an eye on people with ILI symptoms. He said that since the cases were decreasing gradually it was time to adopt focused approach on maintenance of health logistics. He also felt the need for proper distribution of edible and other products provided by the various organizations under CSR.Director General of Police Sanjay Kundu said that it would be appropriate to go with the same restrictions for next few days in order to check spread of pandemic.Secretary Health Amitabh Awasthi welcomed the Chief Minister on the occasion. Additional Chief Secretaries R.D. Dhiman and J.C. Sharma, Special Secretary Arindam Chaudhary, Mission Director NHM Dr. Nipun Jindal and Director Health Services Dr. B.B. Katoch were present in the meeting.