From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Mar 18: The state government is fully prepared to prevent and deal with a possible second wave of Covid-19 cases, health and family welfare minister Dr K Sudhakar said in Bengaluru on Thursday.
Dr Sudhakar, who is also the medical education minister, said in the next 50 days doctors, healthcare workers and officials are set to work in mission mode.
In the wake of an uptick in Covid-19 cases, the health minister chaired a meeting with senior officials and heads of key government hospitals to discuss the course of action.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, the minister stressed the need for vaccine coverage.
"A few days back, nearly 2.5 lac inoculations were done in a single day. So it is possible to ramp up coverage and the target has been set to vaccinate 3 lac people per day. If we vaccinate senior citizens and people above 45 years with comorbidities, we can certainly mitigate the second wave,’’ Dr Sudhakar said.
He said the state government has deployed 200 ambulances in Bengaluru to ensure that there is no inadequacy of ambulances during an emergency.
War room will start operating as it was during last year and the government will monitor the situation using real-time data. A decision has been taken to recruit resident doctors and paramedical staff on a temporary basis, he said.
The minister said the state government will hold the first round of discussion with private hospitals this week to reserve beds for treatment of Covid-19 patients.
"If the infection spreads more, we will rope in private hospitals to ensure sufficient availability of beds. The heads of respective institutions will be held accountable for any lapse,’’ the minister said.
"There was a lack of information and awareness when the pandemic hit us last year. Yet, we were successful in controlling the pandemic. We are now anticipating a possible second wave and preparing to fight it. We also have the advantage of vaccine now which we didn't have last year,’’ Dr Sudhakar said.
He, however, emphasized that people should follow precautions and should not let the guard down.
A 1000 bed Covid Care Centre is being readied in Bengaluru which will be operation by Monday, the minister said.
"I have instructed the officials to ensure that vaccine is not wasted and I will personally monitor it on a daily basis,’’ he added.