Healthcare In India Archives - Lokmarg

6,155 Fresh Covid Cases, Active Cases Climb To 31,194

By LokMarg 8th April 2023

The country recorded 6,155 fresh Covid-19 infections in the last 24 hours, marking a marginal increase from Friday’s tally of 6,050 cases, the Union health ministry stated in a bulletin on Saturday.

Covid infections in the country have seen an upward trend in the past few days, with the daily fresh infections at 2,994 on April 1, 3,824 on April 2, 3,641 on April 3, 3,038 on April 4, 4,435 on April 5, 5,335 on April 6 and 6,050 on April 7.
The overall active cases are stands at 31,194, as of Saturday, with the daily positivity rate at 5.63 per cent, the Health ministry stated further in its release.

With 3,253 recoveries in the last 24 hours, the overall count stood at 4,41,89,111, the bulletin stated, adding that the overall recovery rate is currently at 98.74 per cent.

Under the nationwide vaccination drive, a total of 220.66 crore vaccine doses (95.21 cr second doses and 22.87 cr precautionary doses) have been administered, as of Saturday, of which 1,963 doses were administered in the last 24 hours.

The ministry further stated that the weekly positivity rate currently stands at 3.47 per cent.

On Friday, Delhi reported 755 fresh Covid cases, in a continuing upward spiral in infections. Neighbouring Bihar reported 17 new cases.

The superintendent of Patna’s Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) said, “Cases have increased due to recklessness and lax observance of Covid protocols. It could also be attributed to the changing weather pattern. But hospitals and the Bihar government are on alert.”

“Compared to other states, the situation in Bihar is still normal. Two patients were detected with Covid on Friday. They are receiving treatment and there is no need to panic,” he said.

Amid a nationwide upward trend in the Covid cases, Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday chaired a review meeting with health ministers of all states and Union Territories through video conferencing.

Mandaviya urged state Health ministers to conduct mock drills at hospitals on on April 10 and 11 to assess their preparedness in handling a surge in cases.

He also urged states to identify emerging hotspots by monitoring trends of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) cases and sending sufficient samples for testing of COVID-19 and Influenza; and ramping up whole genome sequencing of positive samples.

It was observed that 23 states and UTs had average tests per million below the national average.”Irrespective of the new COVID variants, the five-fold strategy of ‘Test-Track-Treat-Vaccinate and Adherence to COVID Appropriate Behaviour’ continue to remain the tested strategy for COVID management. This would facilitate the undertaking of appropriate public health measures, he said,” Mandaviya said.

According to the Union health ministry, states and UTs were also requested to expeditiously increase the rate of testing from the current rate of 100 tests per million, as of the week ending 7th April and further advised to increase the share of RT-PCR in tests. (ANI)

Sisodia Directs Hospitals To Boost Covid Preparedness

By LokMarg 26th December 2022

Amid the continuing global surge in Covid-19 cases, the Delhi government on Monday directed all public hospitals in the national capital to ramp up preparations and augment supplies in anticipation of rising infections in the coming days.

According to an official statement issued on Monday, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia chaired a review meeting with directors and medical superintendents of government hospitals during which he asked them to prepare for a rise in Covid cases in the near future.
Sisodia directed the hospital heads to take stock of Covid-preparedness and ensure that all requirements, in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the Union Health Ministry, are met.

He also directed them to submit a compliance report to the Health department.

Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party government in the national capital approved a budget of Rs 104 crore for government hospitals to procure general medicines and prepare for Covid-induced contingencies in the immediate future.

Reviewing the Covid-related arrangements at public hospitals, Sisodia directed that the details with regard to beds, ventilators, ICUs, number of doctors and nurses, oxygen plants, field staff, and medicines are to be shared with the Health Department by Monday evening.

“According to the directions of the Union government, a mock drill will be organized in all hospitals on Tuesday, December 27, to ensure operational readiness for effective Covid management. In case of any gaps, the issue will be addressed immediately by the health officials concerned,” Sisodia added.

The focus of the mock drill will be on assessing bed capacities, human resources, referral resources, testing capacities of hospitals, medical logistics, telemedicine services, and medical oxygen, among others, the deputy CM said.

Apart from the operational preparations for Covid, the government also sanctioned funds totalling Rs 104 crores to enable government hospitals to stock up on life-saving medicines.

Sisodia said, “This amount has been approved by the government to ensure that there is no shortage of any medicines in government hospitals and they are well prepared to deal with an emergency.” (ANI)

Mock Drills To Be Conducted At All Health Facilities In Wake Of COVID Alarm

By LokMarg 25th December 2022

Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Saturday decided to hold mock drills at all health facilities across the country on December 27 in the wake of the COVID alarm due to a surge in infection in many countries.

This is to ensure readiness in the availability of oxygen support, and ICU beds among other preparedness measures in case of a surge of COVID cases in India.
In a letter duly signed by Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan dated December 24, the Ministry said that it is necessary that in all States/UTs requisite public health measures are put in place to meet any exigencies, adding that preparedness of COVID health facilities to ensure that the states are in a state of readiness to meet the increase in clinical care needs due to any spurt in cases.

“It has therefore been decided to hold the mock drill at all health facilities (including identified COVID-dedicated health facilities) across the country on Tuesday, 27th December 2022,” the Ministry said.

According to the Ministry, the objective of the exercise is to ensure the operational readiness of these health facilities for the management of COVID.

Detailing the focus on the parameters during the mock drills, it said that the main focus will be on the bed capacities including isolation, oxygen-supported, and ICU beds at the health facilities.

“Geographically representative availability of health facilities — covering all districts. Bed capacities — Isolation beds, oxygen-supported isolation beds, ICU beds, and ventilator-supported beds.

The focus will also be on the optimal availability of human resources which include doctors, nurses, and paramedics. AYUSH doctors, other frontline workers including ASHAs, Anganwadi workers, etc.

“Human resource capacity. Healthcare professionals trained in COVID-19 management, Healthcare professionals trained in ventilatory management protocol for severe cases, healthcare workers trained in the operation of PSA plants, etc. Referral services: Availability of Advanced and Basic Life Support (ALS/BLS) ambulances, availability of other ambulances (under PPP mode or with NGOs), availability of functional ambulance call centre,” it said.

Boosting the testing capacities and availability of RT-PCR and RAT kits, availability of testing equipment and reagents will also be the focus.

“Logistics availability. Availability of essential drugs. ventilators, BIPAP. SPO2 systems, PPE kits, N-95 masks. etc” the Ministry said.

“Medical oxygen: Oxygen Concentrators, Oxygen Cylinders, PSA Plants. Liquid Medical Oxygen Storage Tanks, Medical Gas Pipeline Systems, etc,” it added.

The Ministry informed that the mock drill may be conducted under the guidance of respective district collectors, and district magistrates in close consultation with officers of the Health Department of the State/UT.

Earlier, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday announced that the RT-PCR test has been made mandatory for passengers coming from five countries including China.

“The RT-PCR test to be mandatory for international arrivals from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Thailand. On arrival, if any passenger from these countries is found symptomatic or tests positive for Covid-19 infection, then he/she will be put under quarantine,” Health Minister Mandaviya said in a conversation with ANI.

He also said that the Air Suvidha form filling to declare the current health status will also be made compulsory for international passengers arriving from these Asian countries.

Taking note of the rising cases of COVID globally, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday said that the Centre and States need to work in “tandem” and in a “collaborative spirit” as was done during the previous surges.

Mandaviya, while chairing a virtual meeting Friday with the health ministers of the states, Principal Secretaries, Additional Chief Secretaries, and Information Commissioners, said that the country needs to be on the alert and be fully prepared for COVID management.

The meeting was held in view of the recent upsurge in cases in some countries like China, Japan, Brazil, and the United States in the presence of Union Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar, NITI Aayog member V K Paul to review the public health preparedness for containment and management of COVID-19 and progress of national COVID-19 vaccination campaign. (ANI)

Watch – ‘Health, Defence Important; What About Inflation?’

By LokMarg 4th February 2021

Common people have given a mixed response to Union Budget 2021-22. While some feel that there is little effort to hold back rising prices in Budget, there are others who feel the financial document has kept its focus on two biggest challenges before the country: outside threat on border and inside dangers of pandemic.

Although relief to senior citizens is appreciated, rise in petrol price has been a big concern as it will only lead to overall increase in commodity prices.

Watch the full video here

Watch – ‘Focus On Health & Infra In Budget Laudable’

By LokMarg 1st February 2021

LokMarg speaks to various financial experts to know what Union Budget 2021 has in store for Indian economy and the common people. While most of them agree that commendable provisions have been made in the financial document with regards to Healthcare, Sanitation and Infrastructure, more relief could have been allotted to businesses who had been affected the most by sustained lockdown amid Covid-19.

Overall, these experts feel the picture will be clearer once the implementation of these budgetary provisions come into effect. But for now, the Centre has shown good intention to pull the economy out of pandemic impact.

Watch the full video here