Vardhan holds meeting to review COVID-19 management

In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Thursday asked states and union territories to implement community surveillance effectively with focus on international travellers who have come to India in the past one month.

He issued the directions during a meeting through video conference with state health ministers, chief secretaries and health officials to review the actions taken for COVID-19 management, according to a statement.

The Union minister asked authorities to start a helpline for those under quarantine so that they can reach out to psychologists.

During the meeting through video conference, Vardhan advised the states and union territories (UTs) to explore and request retired doctors to volunteer for COVID-19 works proactively, the statement said.

Health officials have been asked to conduct random verification of those under home quarantine and take action against violators, it said.

In addition, states and UTs were advised to ensure training of ambulance drivers, call centre personnel and EMR team members. They were also asked to update district-wise ambulance details on the COVID-19 portal.

Vardhan stressed on the importance of social distancing for effective containment of the disease.

He asked authorities to be more vigilant and implement all possible containment strategies to break the chain of the transmission of the disease in India, according to the statement.

The Union minister urged them to ensure strict implementation of the lockdown and ensure the availability of essential services and commodities.

He also stressed on the importance of setting up dedicated hospitals for COVID-19 patients, conducting treatment as per protocol and ensuring contact tracing in all cases and their follow up, it said
During the meeting, the Union minister also took up the matter of some landlords and owners evicting doctors and paramedics serving at hospitals with COVID-19 patients.0