The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Union will hold simulated workouts on Saturday in all gyms in the country on December 27 following the COVID alarm due to a rise in infections in many countries.
This is due to the availability of oxygen assistance and ample care beds, among other preparedness measures, in case of a backlog of COVID cases in India.
In a letter duly signed through Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, dated December 24, the ministry said that it is mandatory for all states/UTs to establish the public fitness measures required to meet all requirements, adding that the preparation of COVID fitness services to ensure that states are in a position to meet clinical care needs due to any backlog of cases.
“Therefore, it has been conducting simulated workouts in all fitness services (including known COVID-related fitness services) across the country on Tuesday, December 27, 2022,” the ministry said.
According to the Ministry, the objective of the training is the operational preparation of these sports equipment for the control of COVID.
Detailing the focus on metric training simulations, he said the main focus will be on bed capacity, adding isolation, oxygen and intensive care beds in healthcare facilities.
“Geographically representative availability of fitness services, covering all districts. Bed capacity: isolation beds, oxygen-assisted isolation beds, extensive care beds, and ventilator-assisted beds.
Emphasis will also be placed on the optimal availability of human resources, adding doctors, nurses and paramedics. AYUSH doctors, other top notch adding ASHA, AnganwadiArray, etc.
“Human resource capacity. Health professionals trained in the control of COVID-19, Health professionals trained in the ventilatory control protocol for severe cases, physical fitness trained in the operation of PSA plants, etc. ) ambulances, availability of other ambulances (in PPP modality or with NGOs), the availability of a functioning ambulance call center”, he said.
The objective will also be to increase the capacity and availability of RT-PCR and RAT kits, as well as the availability of control devices and reagents.
“Logistical availability. Availability of medicines, ventilators, BIPAP systems, SPO2, PPE kits, N-95 masks, etc,” the ministry said.
“Medical oxygen: oxygen concentrators, oxygen cylinders, PSA plants. Liquid oxygen garage tanks, fuel piping system, etc. ,” he added.
The ministry reported that the simulated training can only be conducted under the direction of the respective district collectors, district magistrates in close consultation with agents of the State Health Department/UT.
Earlier, EU Health Minister Mansukh Mandavya announced on Saturday that RT-PCR screening was mandatory for passengers from five countries, adding China.
“RT-PCR will be mandatory for foreign arrivals from China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand. Upon arrival, if a passenger from those countries is found to have symptoms or test positive for Covid-19 infection, then he/she will be quarantined,” Health Minister Mandaviya said in a verbal exchange with the ANI.
He also said that completing the Air Suvidha form to claim existing fitness will also be mandatory for foreign passengers from those Asian countries.
Taking note of COVID cases around the world, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandavya said Friday that the Center and states want to work in “tandem” and in a “spirit of collaboration,” as has been the case in previous outbreaks.
Mandaviya, while chairing a virtual meeting Friday with fitness ministers, senior secretaries, other leading secretaries and data commissioners, said the country wants to be alert and fully prepared for COVID control.
The assembly was held in light of the recent increase in instances in some countries such as China, Japan, Brazil and the United States in the presence of the Minister of Health of the Union Bharati Pravin Pawar, V K Paul, member of NITI Aayog, to discuss public physical preparedness for the containment and control of COVID-19 and the advancement of the national vaccination campaign against COVID-19.
(With the exception of the title, this story has not been edited through NDTV and is published from a syndicated feed. )
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