As the country gears up for a fresh round of Covid-19 vaccination from May 1, the Centre on Saturday suggested the States to consider setting up of makeshift hospitals with help from Government research agencies like DRDO, CSIR and cooperative entities like NCDC or the private sector to ensure a smooth rollout of the drive under which all adults can take the shot.
The States have also been asked to ensure adequacy in terms of oxygen supported beds, ICU beds and oxygen supplies as well hospital staff to take care of any adverse event.
These were some of the several recommendations offered by the high-level meeting chaired by Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan and Dr R S Sharma, Chairman, Empowered Group on Technology and Data Management to combat Covid-19 here.
Dr Sharma expressed confidence that the CoWIN platform is equipped to handle the complexities of the new phase of vaccination and asserted that States should upload correct and timely data as any incorrect data would compromise the integrity of the entire system. The registration process on the government platform will begin from April 28.
With regards to the Phase III Vaccination strategy, the States were specifically advised to register additional private Covid Vaccination Centres (CVCs) in mission mode by engaging with private hospitals, hospitals of industrial establishments, industry associations, etc., coordinating with designated appropriate authority, mechanism for applications/requests and their processing and monitoring of pendency of registration.
The State/UTs were guided to co-ordinate with Corporate entities/PSUs/Government Departments for their CSR funds to facilitate setting up makeshift hospitals and temporary Covid care facilities. Cooperation with National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) for repurposing healthcare facilities for creation of Covid facilities was also advised.
NCDC Managing Director Sundeep Nayak said that his organization is gearing up to the occasion and are in the process of instructing our 18 regional offices across the country to help the States in their vaccination endeavour.
The States have also been asked to monitor the number of hospitals that have procured vaccines and have declared stocks and prices on COWIN and publicise the facility of ‘only online registration’ for age groups 18-45 year, said an official from the Union Health Ministry.
Regarding infrastructure augmentation for effective clinical treatment of the hospitalized Covid patients, States have been advised to review their existing hospital and other Covid treatment infrastructure in light of the daily new case, daily fatality and those that would require hospitalization, said the official.
From May 1, all adults will become eligible for a Covid-19 vaccine and doses can be sold via the market in the government’s latest inoculation drive, although people under the age of 45 will only be able to receive doses once private sales begin or if state governments procure stocks for distribution to these age groups. However, those above 45 will continue to get the jab under the Centre’s vaccination drive.
“Deploying requisite human resources with proper training and mentoring of doctors and nurses for management of patients and strengthening ambulance services, establishing sufficient referral linkages for districts with deficit infrastructure through deployment of additional ambulances were some of the recommendations offered to the States,” said the official.
They were also advised to use railway coaches for management of mild cases and in the meantime, details of availability of 3,816 such coaches, across 16 Zones of Railways have been shared with the States, said the official.