India’s Health Minister Reviews COVID-19 Preparedness

Mandaviya Chairs Meeting on COVID Spike, Urges Vigilance and Preparedness

India’s Health Minister, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, leads a critical review of the nation’s COVID-19 situation and public health readiness amid rising cases.

NEW DELHI – Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, recently chaired a crucial meeting focusing on India’s COVID-19 situation and public health preparedness.

This high-level gathering, a response to the surge in COVID-19 cases in some states, saw participation from key figures including Union Ministers of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prof. S P Singh Baghel and Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, and NITI Aayog Member (Health) Dr. V K Paul.

Dr. Mandaviya emphasized the necessity of staying prepared and vigilant, particularly concerning new strains, as the holiday season approaches.

He urged states to diligently monitor COVID-19 cases, symptoms, and severity to effectively plan public health responses.

A significant directive was the enhancement of the surveillance system for whole genome sequencing through the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) network.

States and Union Territories are instructed to escalate testing and refer a substantial number of positive cases and pneumonia-like illnesses to INSACOG Genome Sequencing Laboratories (IGSLs) for daily sequencing.

This step aims to track novel coronavirus variants in India.

The Union Health Minister also advised states to remain alert, augment monitoring, and stock essential medical supplies such as medications, oxygen cylinders and concentrators, ventilators, and vaccines.

He recommended that Central and State officials conduct simulated drills every three months to test various medical equipments and share best practices.

Additionally, he emphasized the importance of promoting respiratory hygiene, accurate information dissemination, and combating misinformation to manage infodemics and reduce public panic.

Smt. L S Changsan, Addl. Secretary, Union Health Ministry, and senior officials from the Health Ministry, ICMR, and NCDC were also present at the meeting.