Against the backdrop of shortage of beds reported from some States, the Centre has written to all Central Ministries and public sector undertakings (PSU) to dedicate their hospital beds for Covid-19 management in States/Union Territories (UTs).
According to the Health Ministry, the dedicated hospital wards/blocks have to be equipped with supportive/ancillary services including oxygen supported beds, ICU beds, ventilators, specialised CCUs (wherever available), lab/imaging services, kitchen etc., with a dedicated health workforce.
These hospitals/blocks should have separate entry and exit points for the management of Covid-19 cases, to provide treatment services including specialised care for the confirmed cases.
In a letter to the Ministries, the Union Health Secretary has said that the surge in Covid-19 cases across the country calls for similar supportive action as last year from all such Central Ministries or departments and their PSUs and hospitals under their control.
The Central Ministries have also been advised that details of such dedicated hospital wards or blocks should be provided to the public, duly coordinating with the respective health departments of State and UTs and the district health administration of States and districts wherever these hospitals are located.
It has further been suggested that a nodal officer may be nominated from the ministry or department for necessary coordination with respective States and UTs and their contact details be shared with States and UTs as well as the Union Health Ministry. Many States and UTs across the country have been reporting a surge since the past few weeks in the cases and deaths caused by COVID-19, the ministry said.
The move comes as India battles a massive surge in coronavirus cases. The active number of cases in the country stands at 18,01,316.In the last 24 hours with 1,38,423 people having recovered from the disease. With this, the total recoveries reached 1,28,09,643.
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, 15,66,394 samples were tested on Saturday. And, as many as 26,65,38,416 samples have been tested across the country till April 17.
The cumulative number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in the country stands at 12,26,22,590 till today.