Already grappling with rising number of Coronavirus cases, the States like Maharashtra, Gujarat and West Bengal are now faced with daunting task of testing lakhs of migrant workers as well as immigrants who are gradually returning from abroad.
In view of the surge in number of migrant labour expected to reach the States in the days to come, Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan exhorted the States that robust strategy and mechanism need to be drawn up for their testing, quarantine, and treatment of the positive cases.
Some States shall also see immigrants from abroad too. Flights are being on their way bringing stranded Indian from various countries.
An effective strategy also needs to be put in place for their testing, institutional quarantine and treatment, if needed, he said.
Authorities estimate around 300,000 jobless labourers have registered for the journey by train which are now being run daily as per the demand coming from the States.
They will have to be medically screened before they're quarantined.
Dr Harsh Vardhan also suggested that along with the surveillance teams in the containment areas, community volunteers may also be identified at the ward-level to spread awareness about the preventive measures like hand washing, physical distancing etc., and who can also play an effective role in removing the stigma prevailing in the society.
The matter does not rest with just handling of the Covid cases. The Minister said that attention needs to be accorded to provisioning of non-COVID essential health services regarding immunisation drives, TB case finding and treatment, providing blood transfusion for dialysis patients, treatment of cancer patients, ANC of pregnant women, etc.
States were also informed that helpline number 104 in addition to 1075 can be used for Grievance Redressal for non-COVID essential services, and for informing regarding availability of these services etc. Adequate measures for prevention of vector diseases also needs to be taken, they were advised.
“Need to increase sampling and testing of SARI/ILI cases along with proper quarantine arrangements of the migrant workers coming from other States”
Dr. Harsh Vardhan has also asked the States to focus on more effective surveillance, contact tracing and early diagnosis to keep low fatality rate”.