NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, DEC 27
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday reviewed the Covid response mock drill at the Centre-run Safdarjung Hospital here to check its readiness to deal with any increase in the number of coronavirus cases.
Amid a spurt in COVID-19 cases in some countries, the Centre has asked states and union territories to conduct mock drills at all Covid hospitals as part of precautionary measures.
कोविड से सतर्क रहने हेतु प्रधानमंत्री @NarendraModi जी के आदेश अनुसार, पुरे देशभर में आज कोविड अस्पतालों में mock drill की जा रही है।
मैंने सफदरजंग अस्पताल में कोविड रिस्पॉन्स मॉक ड्रिल की समीक्षा की। pic.twitter.com/DQ3Efas9YD
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (मोदी का परिवार) (@mansukhmandviya) December 27, 2022
“I reviewed the Covid response mock drill at Safdarjung Hospital. This mock drill was necessary to know how prepared our hospitals are,” the minister said.
- Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya visits Safdarjung Hospital, reviews mock drill for ensuring readiness of hospital infrastructure for COVID19 management
- It is important to ensure that the entire COVID infrastructure in terms of equipment, processes and human resources are in a state of operational readiness: Health Minister
- Urges everyone to follow COVID-appropriate behaviour and refrain from sharing unverified information
“Covid cases are rising all over the world and India might witness a spike in cases too. Hence it is important that the entire Covid infrastructure in terms of equipment, processes and human resources are at a state of operational readiness,” he stated.
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The Union Minister stated that “I recently reviewed the COVID-19 status and preparedness of prevention and management of COVID with State Health Ministers. Mock drills are being conducted across the country today to review the preparedness for management of COVID19, for which clinical readiness at hospitals is crucial. Government as well as private hospitals are undertaking mock drills today. State Health Ministers are reviewing the drills in their respective states”, he stated.
Clinical readiness at hospitals is crucial, Mandaviya said while noting that government as well as private hospitals are undertaking mock drills.
Cautioning against complacency, he urged everyone to follow Covid Appropriate Behaviour. He also asked people to refrain from sharing unverified information and ensure high level of preparedness.
The minister visited the 44-bedded Covid centre at the hospital, the triage and testing area which has been created by the hospital along with a Severe Acute Respiratory Infection ward in the makeshift facility which already existed.
The health minister also interacted with the hospital officials and instructed them to be prepared for any fresh outbreak.
There are enough funds allocated for Covid and states have been given funds to make all arrangements, he added.
Dr B L Sherwal, the Medical Superintendent of the Safdarjung Hospital, said, “All symptomatic patients shall be screened, assessed and tested right there in the Covid centre.The report shall be made available within one to two hours following which the decision on admission or discharge shall be taken. Till that time the patient can be monitored. All beds have oxygen facilities.”
Dr Neeraj Gupta, a professor in the Department of Pulmonary, Critical care and Sleep medicine at Safdarjung Hospital, said of the 44 beds, six beds are equipped with a ventilator with monitors.
Besides there is also an 18-bedded dedicated Covid ICU, he said.
“Apart from that there are 81 beds available for Covid treatment. If need be, we can make more available,” Dr Gupta said.
Four international travellers from Myanmar, who tested positive for Covid at the Delhi airport, are admitted at the Safdarjung Hospital and their samples have been sent for genome sequencing
“They were asymptomatic. They will be discharged once they test negative,” Dr Sherwal informed.
Dr Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services, Dr B L Sherwa, Medical Superintendant, Safdarjung Hospital, and heads of various departments including sanitation were present on the occasion.
