Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Mar 31: "As far as COVID19 is concerned, the next 60 to 90 days will be critical and challenging for us. The state as a whole has to work closely to minimise COVID positive cases. From April 1 onward, every eligible individual aged over 45 has to be vaccinated against coronavirus infection. The 'Inspection Day' begins on Wednesday next. Health department officials should personally visit primary and taluk health centres and also community hospitals and check the situation on hand there," instructed state health minister, Dr Sudhakar to health department officials.
The minister was speaking at the review meeting held at the zilla panchayat hall on Tuesday march 30, after visiting the district hospital at Ajjarkad, Koosamma Shambhu Shetty Memorial Haji Abdulla Mother and Child Hospital and the government hospital at Malpe where he studied the conditions.
Sudhakar noted that the district has a population of 13 lac out of which seven lac have availed of the services under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. He said that the department has set q target of reaching the remaining six lac people within the next 90 days. “A new programme in which young people and educated ones take responsibility and ensure that they convince their elders in the family to get vaccinated by coaxing and cajoling them, and such photos are shared in social websites. This campaign should begin with the people's representatives," he urged.
The minister noted that some hospitals face shortage of ambulances, medical equipment and data entry staff. He promised to take remedial measures. He mentioned that there is a need to undertake health checks in case of influenza like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) on priority. Every positive person can pass on the infection to 20 to 30 primary and secondary contacts on an average, he said, and wanted the officials to trace these contacts first.
Sudhakar asked the health officials to maintain a diary to note down their day-to-day work, and marks will be allotted on the basis of the diary and it will also have an effect on their salary, increment and promotion. He said that these decisions have been taken to improve the working and efficiency of the department. He also wanted the government sector to work better than the private one.
He said that over 2,000 doctors are being taken through direct appointment basis and the process will be completed within a month to six weeks’ time, adding that even the cabinet has approved the same. He mentioned that the cabinet has also approved the direct recruitment of 900 to 1,000 lab technicians and para medical staff to vacant positions.
"As per the current statistics, vaccination provides immunity for six to seven months. This estimate might undergo change as time passes," he said. Koosamma Shambhu Shetty memorial hospital, he said is a unique hospital where facilities are good. He noted that the donors have sought government’s help as their financial status has undergone change. He promised to study the memorandum of understanding and take suitable steps
The minister said that COVID cases have aggravated as the people did not respond to requests and guidelines of the government. He invited people to voluntarily opt to get themselves vaccinated and cooperate with the government.
MLA Raghupati Bhat, sought the health minister's intervention to address technical issues related to getting treated under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. MLA Halady Srinivas Shetty, Coastal Development Authority chairman Mattar Ratnakar Hegde, Udupi zilla panchayat president Dinakar Babu, vice president Sheela K Shetty, deputy commissioner G Jagadeesha, zilla panchayat chief executive officer Naveen Bhat Y, superintendent of police N Vishnuvardhan and others were present.
During the visit to Koosamma Shambhu Shetty Hospital, founder of the hospital and NRI entrepreneur Dr B R Shetty and others were present. District surgeon Dr Madhusudan Nayak and health officials participated.