Tackle second wave with united efforts like the first one, Modi tells CMs

Dimapur, April 23 (EMN): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called for ‘united efforts and strategy’ to fight the second wave of Covid-19, like during the first wave last year, saying that “we will have to address this challenge in the same way”.

Modi was addressing a high-level meeting on Covid-19 situation with the chief ministers of 11 states and Union Territories which have reported maximum number of cases in the second wave.

Noting that the virus is affecting several states as well as Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities at once, Modi stressed on the need to fight the pandemic collectively and assured Centre’s full support to the states, updated PIB Kohima.

He added that the Ministry of Health is also in touch with the states and monitoring the situation closely.

Modi on efforts to increase oxygen supply

The PM said that there is continuous effort to increase oxygen supply with all the concerned departments and ministries of the government working together and industrial oxygen being diverted to meet immediate requirements.

He urged the states to work together and co-ordinate with one another to fulfil the requirements relating to medicines and oxygen as well as check its hoarding and black marketing.

While asking the states to ensure that no oxygen tanker is stopped or gets stranded anywhere, he advised setting up of high-level coordination committee to carry oxygen to different hospitals of the state.

“This Coordination Committee should ensure that as soon as there is allotment of oxygen from the centre, it can deliver oxygen as per requirement in different hospitals of the state immediately,” read the press release.

Modi stated that Railways has started Oxygen Express and empty oxygen tankers are being transported by the Air-Force to reduce one-way travel time.

He emphasised on conducting widespread testing besides upgrading resources to enable the people to avail facility easily. He added that the ongoing vaccination programme should not slow down, while maintaining that concerted effort is needed to get more people vaccinated.

Expressing grief on the oxygen leakage and fire incidents at hospitals, he said healthcare centres need to be “made more aware about the safety protocols”. He said that hospital safety is important along with measures for treatment of the patients.

Modi also urged the administration to ensure that people don’t resort to panic buying of essential commodities.

Earlier in the meeting, Niti Aayog member Dr. VK Paul highlighted the preparations being done to counter the surge in infections and the roadmap for increasing medical facilities as well as targeted treatment of patients. He briefed the participants about boosting of medical infrastructure, teams, and supplies; clinical management; containment; vaccination and community engagement.

The chief ministers also shared the steps being taken by respective state governments to counter the second wave.