Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya Archives - Lokmarg

Indonesia Seeks To Emulate India’s Jan Aushadhi Kendra Model

By LokMarg 20th August 2023

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Indonesian Health Minister Gunadi Sadikin visited the Jan Anushadhi Kendra in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar on Sunday.

Hailing the Indian healthcare model, Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin sought to replicate the same PM Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana in Indonesia.

He said, “In Indonesia, I want to provide medicines to the people of the best quality and price. I looked around many countries, and I’m convinced that India has the best (medicines). I brought businessmen and government officials to talk and replicate India’s model in Indonesia with his (Mansukh Mandaviya’s) permission.”

Taking to his social media handle ‘X’, formerly known as Twitter Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya informed about his visit and said that he explained the Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana model to his Indonesian counterpart who showed great interest in the Indian healthcare scheme.

Indian Health Minister said, “Visited Janaushadhi Kendra in Gandhinagar along with Health Minister of Indonesia Budi G Sadikin. Explained PM Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana model to him and how it is ensuring quality & affordable medicines for all. He showed great interest in the Scheme.”

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Sunday led a delegation of G20 delegates and ministers, including the Indonesian Health Minister Budi G Sadikin to a ‘Jan Aushadhi Kendra’ in Gandhinagar to share with them India’s success in providing, accessible, affordable, and quality medicines to its people.

The delegates were in India to participate at the G20 Health Ministers’ meeting under G20 India Presidency, which was held during August 17-19, 2023 at Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

Indonesia Minister Sadikin, after the visit to a Jan Aushadi Kendra, said, “I want to give the best medicines to my people in Indonesia. I have seen many models from different countries, and India’s Jan Aushadhi Kendra model is the best in the world in terms of providing quality, accessibility and affordability of medicines to the people.

“Earlier on Sunday, Mandaviya in his keynote address to the Indian industry leaders in pharmaceuticals, and G20 Ministers and Delegates, on the sidelines of the G20 Health Minister’s Meeting in Gandhinagar said that healthcare is more than just a sector – it is a mission.

“(It is) a mission to provide the highest quality healthcare to every citizen of our great nation. Our pharmaceutical and medical devices industry stands as a vital partner in this mission,” Mandaviya said.

India, the minister said, is recognized as a global pharmaceutical hub, with its industry playing a pivotal role in improving health outcomes worldwide by serving, as a dependable supplier of affordable and high-quality drugs.

He added India has played a significant role in enhancing global accessibility by providing approximately 60 per cent of the global vaccine supply and 20-22 per cent of generic medicine exports.

Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Independence Day speech from Red Fort this year said that the government has plans to increase the number of ‘Jan Aushadhi Kendras’ from 10,000 to 25,000.

“Jan Aushadhi Kendras have provided new strength to senior citizens and middle-class families in our nation. In a joint family, if someone has diabetes, it’s quite natural to get a medical bill of Rs 2000-3000. We provide medicines which cost Rs 100 in the market for just Rs 10, Rs 15, Rs 20 through Jan Aushadhi Kendras,” PM Modi had said from Red Fort. (ANI)

RT-PCR Mandatory For Arrivals From China, 4 Other Nations: Mandaviya

By LokMarg 24th December 2022

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.

Manadaviya has also stressed the importance of public awareness campaigns regarding adherence to Covid-appropriate behavior in view of the upcoming festive season.

He asked the State Health Ministers to personally monitor and review the preparedness of all infrastructure and ensure adequate stock of essential medicines.

Notably, Union Health Ministry has already issued “Operational Guidelines for Revised Surveillance Strategy in context of COVID-19” in June 2022 which calls for early detection, isolation, testing and timely management of suspected and confirmed cases to detect and contain outbreaks of new SARS-CoV-2 variants.

On Thursday Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya told Parliament, India will start randomly testing two percent of international passengers arriving at its airports for COVID-19 in view of rising cases of COVID in China and other countries.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed on Saturday morning informed that in the past 24 hours, India recorded 201 new COVID-19 infections.

The country’s active caseload currently stands at 3,397 which accounts for 0.01 percent of the total cases.

The recovery rate currently is at 98.8 percent. As many as 183 recoveries were made in the last 24 hours, thereby taking the total recoveries to 4,41,42,791.

The daily positivity rate stood at 0.15 percent, while the weekly positivity rate stood at 0.14 percent.

Mandaviya told parliament on Thursday that the government has started random RT-PCR sampling among the passengers arriving at international airports in the country amid the recent surge of coronavirus infection in various countries including China, Japan, South Korea, France, and the United States. (ANI)

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North Iikely To Witness Cold Wave, Temp To Dip Further | Lokmarg

Mandaviya To Make Statement In Parliament On Covid-19

By LokMarg 22nd December 2022

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya is set to make a statement in both the Houses of Parliament on Thursday regarding Covid-19.

He is likely to make his statement at 2 pm in Lok Sabha and 2.30 pm in Rajya Sabha.
Amid the challenge posed by the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in some countries including China, Japan, South Korea, France, and the United States, Mandaviya chaired a high-level meeting on Wednesday to review the COVID-19 situation in India and the preparedness of public health system for surveillance, containment, and management of COVID-19. He urged people to follow COVID-appropriate behavior and get vaccinated against the virus.

Emphasizing that COVID-19 is not over yet, he asked the officials to be fully geared up and strengthen surveillance.

Meanwhile, former Health Minister Harshvardhan emphasized taking timely precautions and the effectiveness of wearing face masks.

“Masks are quite effective as far as Covid is concerned. We should take all the timely precautions. There’s no harm in wearing masks as they also protect us from pollutants in the air,” Former Union Health Minister Harshvardhan.

However, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi alleged that the Opposition had been showing “their attitude” towards the Covid guidelines.

“Both the chairs in the Parliament have requested the members to wear face masks during proceedings. But the leaders from the Opposition did not wear masks which shows their attitude towards Covid guidelines,” Pralhad Joshi said addressing the media persons.

India has in the past six months reported four cases of the BF.7 Omicron sub-variant, which is driving the current surge of infections in China. Various states have also stepped up vigil.

Notably, during the Wednesday meeting, Health Minister Mandaviya was briefed on the global COVID-19 situation and the domestic scenario. He noted the importance of being prepared and remaining alert against new and emerging strains of COVID-19, especially in view of the upcoming festive season.

Mandaviya directed the officials to be fully geared up and strengthen the surveillance system for whole genome sequencing of positive case samples to track the variants through the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) network to ensure timely detection of newer variants, if any, circulating in the country.

“This would facilitate the undertaking of appropriate public health measures. States/UTs have been requested to send samples of all COVID-19 positive cases to INSACOG Genome Sequencing Laboratories (IGSLs) on a daily basis, for sequencing, to track new variants, if any,” the Health Minister said.

Meanwhile, Dr. VK Paul, Member, Niti Aayog, who was present at the meeting, said that only 27-28 percent of people have taken precautionary doses. He called upon people to wear masks in crowded places.

“We appeal to others, especially senior citizens, to take the precautionary dose. Use a mask if you are in a crowded space, indoors or outdoors. This is all the more important for people with comorbidities or those of higher age,” Dr. Paul said.

As a precautionary measure, the government has from Wednesday restarted random sampling of international passengers at airports across the country for COVID-19.

Today in the Parliament, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla wore a mask as the proceedings began. A few other MPs including Raghav Chadda, Sushil Gupta, and Minister of State for skill development Rajeev Chandrasekhar were also seen wearing masks in the wake of a sudden surge in Covid cases in China and other countries. Security, Visitors, and Personal Staff also wore masks. (ANI)

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Modi To Review Covid Situation At High-Level Meeting Today

By LokMarg 22nd December 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to chair on Thursday afternoon a high-level meeting to review the Covid-19 situation and its related aspects in the county

In the last six months, India reported four cases of the BF.7 Omicron sub-variant, which is driving the current surge of infections in China.
Sources said there are currently 10 different variants of Covid-19 in the country, with the latest being BF.7.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the prevailing Covid-19 situation in the country and the preparedness of the public health system for surveillance, containment, and management of the pandemic.

He urged people to follow Covid-appropriate behavior and get vaccinated against Covid-19.

Emphasizing that the pandemic is not over yet, he asked officials to be fully geared up to challenge and step up surveillance.

Amid a surge in Covid-19 cases globally, the central government briefed all states to conduct genome sequencing of samples, the additional chief secretary of Health Manoj Agarwal informed on Wednesday.

“Yesterday (Tuesday), the central government briefed all states on the increasing trend of Covid-19 variants in parts of the world and asked them to ensure that whole genome sequencing is done in all states,” he said.

There has been an alarming surge in Covid cases in China, Japan, South Korea, France, and the United States. The spike is being blamed on the new Omicron sub-variant BF.7, which has also been detected in four Indian states. (ANI)

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Covid Not Over Yet, We Are Well Prepared: Mandaviya

By LokMarg 21st December 2022

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday chaired a review meeting of top health officials and experts on the Covid situation in the country and directed officials to be alert and strengthen surveillance amid a surge in coronavirus cases globally.

“COVID is not over yet. I have directed all concerned to be alert and strengthen surveillance. We are prepared to manage any situation,” tweeted Union Health Minister after the meeting.
Reports of the sudden rise in Covid cases in China, Japan, the US and Brazil among other countries have surfaced.

Ahead of today’s meeting that commenced at 11:30 am, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Bharati Pravin Pawar said the meeting has been convened to discuss the situation of Covid-19 in other countries and what needs to be done for India.

The physical meeting commenced at 11:30 am on Wednesday.

“Yesterday’s guidelines were issued for doing genome sequencing,” Pawar told media persons.

Dr. VK Paul, Member-Health, NITI Aayog at the end of today’s meeting said: “Only 27-28 percent of people have taken precaution dose. We appeal to others, especially senior citizens, to take the precautionary dose. Precaution dose is mandated and guided to everyone.”

He also urged people to use masks in crowded spaces, indoors or outdoors. “This is all the more important for people with comorbidities or is of higher age,” Paul said.

Those who attended today’s meeting included Secretaries of health, Ayush, the department of pharmaceuticals and department of biotechnology, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Director General Rajiv Bahl, Member (Health) of NITI Aayog V K Paul and National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) Chairman N L Arora, Secretary in Department of biotechnology Dr. Rajesh Gokhale and MoHFW DGHS Dr. Atul Goel.

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Wednesday in a letter to States and Union Territories said that in view of the sudden spurt of cases being witnessed in Japan, USA, Korea, Brazil, and China, it is essential to gear up whole genome sequencing of positive case samples to track variants through the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) network.

“All states are requested to ensure that as far as possible samples of all positive cases, on a daily basis, are sent to the designated INSACOG Genome Sequencing Laboratories (IGSLs) that are mapped to the States and UTs,” said Union Health Secretary. (ANI)

Mandaviya To Hold Meet On COVID-19 Situation

By LokMarg 20th December 2022

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will hold a meeting with senior officials and experts on the COVID-19 situation in the country on Wednesday, said sources on Tuesday.

The physical meeting will start at 11:30, sources told ANI. He will also review meetings on Covid 19 situations in other countries.
ln view of the sudden spurt of cases being witnessed in Japan, USA, Korea, Brazil, and China, it is essential to gear up whole genome sequencing of positive case samples to track variants through the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) network, writes Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan to States and Union Territories.

Amid the rising COVID cases in China, a top Indian health expert on Tuesday cautioned the people while asking them to keep a close vigil on the situation in the country.

However, the expert said that there is nothing to panic about as the country’s system is “vigilant”.

The remarks were made by Dr. NK Arora, Chairman of the COVID-19 working group NTAGI.

“It is an important thing that we keep a close vigil on the Chinese situation. But I would say that there is nothing to be panicked about. There is no need for getting too much worried. The system is very vigilant, we need to be very vigilant. As far as genomic surveillance is concerned, this is the most important part we are doing genomic surveillance of individuals with symptoms,” he said.

Exuding confidence in India’s preparedness to tackle the COVID situation, the expert said that the country can take appropriate action in case of the emergence of a new sub-variant.

“We are also doing surveillance from sewage and from hospitalized individuals and even those who are coming to international airports. A certain proportion of samples is picked up randomly from them also, in case there is a new sub-variant or anything, which is of concern is picked up promptly, appropriate action can be taken,” Dr. Arora said.

“So overall we find that the situation in India is under control. But we need to maintain vigilance, particularly for surveillance,” he added.

Dr. Arora also said that the exact situation of COVID in China is still unclear.

“China was following so-called Zero COVID policies and as we learn from media recently they have relaxed this policy and after that, we are hearing that there is widespread COVID infection in that community with associated severe disease and deaths also. But what is the exact situation we really do not know,” he said.

According to the expert, vaccination and hybrid immunity will be helpful in protecting people in India from COVID.

“As far as India is concerned, there are three or four things which we need to keep in mind. One is that India has an extensively immunized adult population, particularly with very effective vaccines. In addition, there are several data that indicate that over 90 percent of our individuals have also been affected by natural COVID infection. So, the Indian population is immunized with what we call hybrid immunity. Third thing is that the INSACOG data shows that almost every sub-variant of Omicron which is found anywhere else in the world is also found in India. So, there are not many sub-variants that are not circulating here,” an expert said.

Meanwhile, the last Covid-19 fatality in Beijing, which was seeing thousands of Covid positive cases before the revocation of the Zero Covid policy was on November 23.

After it, China stopped reporting asymptomatic patients which is a major part of the Covid tally. The country also scrapped the once common Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing apparatus and instead used rapid antigen kits which are known to be a little inaccurate. This pointed out that the data was altered or stood meaningless, according to The Straits Times. (ANI)

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Mandaviya: COVID Appropriate Behaviour Amid New Omicron Sub Variants

By LokMarg 19th October 2022

With the emergence of the new Omicron variant, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya stressed the need for community awareness for continued implementation of the COVID Appropriate Behaviour (CAB), especially in view of the upcoming festival season.
Earlier today, a meeting was conducted between Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and senior health officials regarding the emergence of Omicron’s new sub-variants.

The health officials reviewed the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the country, the status of the vaccination drive, and the global scenario of new variants of COVID-19.

Bureaucrat Lav Agarwal made a detailed presentation on the global scenario of a surge in COVID cases, primarily in Europe, and an analysis of various Omicron Variants in the world.

The presentation included a detailed analysis of the COVID-19 situation in the country with the trend of Covid-19 cases; daily cases being reported, active cases, case positivity, and testing status along with state-wise weekly tests per million including a share of RT-PCR in tests conducted.

Manohar Agnani, AS (MoHFW) gave a presentation on the current status of vaccination in the country, availability of vaccines, and state-wise analysis of vaccine administration and highlighted the slow pace of administration of precautionary doses in the country.

Union Health Minister stressed the need to undertake adequate testing (with a higher proportion of RTPCR) & effective Covid-19 surveillance to assess and control the spread of infection in a timely manner.

Mandaviya directed the officials to continue to focus on surveillance across the country, particularly through sentinel sites including monitoring of SARI & ILI cases and on Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) to scan for any possible mutation in the wake of the identification of Omicron variants in other countries. He also urged officials to closely monitor hospitalizations due to COVID-19.

He exhorted to increase the pace of vaccination including precautionary doses to the eligible beneficiaries.

The meeting was attended by Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Govt, S Aparna, Secretary (Pharmaceuticals), Rajiv Bahl, DG ICMR; along with other senior officials of the Health Ministry. (ANI)