NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, MARCH 25
The government is looking for volunteer doctors to fight the COVID-19 outbreak which has infected over 600 people in the country and has taken more than 16,000 lives across the globe.
In a statement posted on Niti Aayog’s website on Wednesday, the government appealed to retired government, Armed Forces Medical Services, public sector undertaking or a private doctor to come forward and join the efforts of the government to fight the deadly virus.
Those who wish to contribute to this and be a part of this noble mission to serve the country may register themselves on a link provided on the official website of the Niti Aayog.
“The Government of India requests for volunteer doctors who are fit and willing to be available for providing their services in the public health facilities and the training hospitals shortly.
“We appeal to such doctors to come forward at this hour of need. You could also be a retired government, Armed Forces Medical Services, public sector undertaking or a private doctor,” the statement said.
It noted that in case the outbreak leads to a high number of infected individuals, India’s public health facilities will face tremendous load to take care of a large number of patients.
Legal action will be taken against those defying 14-day quarantine norms: GoM
Legal action would be initiated against those who have returned from abroad and are flouting the 14-day quarantine period advised to them to control the spread of coronavirus, said a Group of Ministers which on Wednesday reviewed the actions for the management of the contagion.
Addressing a press briefing on the current COVID-19 situation in the country, a senior health ministry official reiterated that there has been no community transmission of the disease even as the number of cases rose to 606 on Wednesday with 10 deaths being recorded across the country.
Highlighting the critical importance of social distancing as an effective strategy for limiting the spread of the disease, Union health minister Harsh Vardhan who chaired the GoM on Wednesday appealed once again to all those in-home and facility quarantines to follow the protocol laid down by the ministry.
He said around 64,000 people have arrived in India from other countries since March 21 out of which 8,000 have been put in various quarantine facilities and 56,000 are in home isolation.
“We are fighting infectious disease. To protect ourselves and others, it is highly important that we follow all the protocols, guidelines and directions issued by the government, failing which legal action may be taken,” he said.
While assuring that the government is making all efforts to ensure that personal stocks of protective equipment (PPE) and N-95 masks are available in adequate numbers to help the medical fraternity carry out their job, the health ministry officials said most of these have some imported components.
Parliamentarians can use MPLADS Fund to procure masks, testing kits amid coronavirus
Parliamentarians can now use Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) fund for medical testing and other facilities required to detect and contain coronavirus, according to recently amended rules.
The move follows appeals by some MPs, including Vivek Tankha of the Congress.
“I thank the prime minister and the government of India for responding to our request to relax MPLADS rules permitting MPs to use public funds in the war against coronavirus. This battle is everyone’s responsibility,” Tankha said.
He said the parliamentarians will now be able to help the administration in providing assistance to the needy ones.
“All MPs can reach out to people only through the administration. By relaxing the rules for the utilisation of MPLAD fund, MPs will now be able to reach out to the people through the administration by ensuring the use of MPLAD fund.
It can now be used in the purchase of protective gear, masks and sanitisers,” said Tankha, a Rajya Sabha member from Madhya Pradesh.
As per earlier guidelines, MPLADS funds can be used only for permanent work.
“I had rechecked with district and state authorities. (MPs are) Not permitted to purchase & supply disposable & consumables unless allowed/clarified,” he said.
Tankha had appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to permit MPs to use their MPLADS funds to reach people through district administration.
“Need masks, sanitizers, medicines & food packets at least twice daily for lacs of men , women & children. Allow public funds to be used for people,” he had demanded.
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation then issued fresh guidelines on Tuesday allowing the use of MPLAD fund for the purpose.
The ministry, based on the requests of MPs, has decided that district authorities may utilise MPLADS funds for medical testing, screening and other facilities required to detect and contain COVID-19, an order said.
