The experts from USA’s Johns Hopkins University, New Delhi’s Centre for Policy Research, and PGIMER Chandigarh on Friday discussed approaches to strengthen testing strategy for Punjab.
A video conference meeting was organized by the state Health Sector Response and Procurement Committee (HSRPC) in pursuance to directions of the Chief Minister to have a proper strategy for testing for Covid-19, in order to ensure early detection as well as curtailment of spread. HSRPC chairperson Vini Mahajan said that these experts have years of experience and knowledge behind them. While the State Government is focused to increase its testing capacity and numbers, it is mindful of taking an approach to testing that shall be most effective in containing the infection and preventing its spread any further, she said.
Mahajan said that the State is also preparing for the post lockdown period and is therefore making efforts to design testing strategies for during and post mobility restrictions when the social engagements rise.She said that the discussion was extremely productive and the team shall be preparing a testing strategy for Punjab for the coming weeks. The approach is being crafted taking the State’s strengths, challenges and constraints into account such that it is feasible and implementable on the ground. Johns Hopkins University experts and PGI experts will guide and help in finalizing the strategy for the State.