Ramp Up Fever Survey, Medical Kits Supply to Every Telangana Household: KCR

HYDERABAD: Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) directed officials to continue the distribution of medical kits while conducting the Fever Survey while implementing a two-pronged strategy to curb the Coronavirus crisis in the State.

He claimed that the programme of providing medical kits via house-to-house fever surveys for corona was being carried out in a way that was unique to the region.

For corona testing, the number of rapid antigen test kits should be increased immediately. It was proposed that, starting tomorrow, the number of kits distributed in all medical centres be increased, and that the manufacturers be contacted to increase the supply as required.

On Monday, Chief Minister KCR convened a high-level meeting at Pragati Bhavan to discuss the corona crisis, the black fungus cases, vaccination drive, lockdown implementation, and other issues.

The high-level review meeting, chaired by Chief Minister KCR, was attended by Minister Harish Rao, Chief Secretary to Government Somesh Kumar, Principal Secretary Nursing, Chief Secretary to CMO, Covid Special Officer Rajasekhar Reddy, Secretary Bhupal Reddy, DGP Mahender Reddy, three Commissioners Anjani Kumar, VC Sajjanar, Mahesh Bhagwat, Adishina Jitender, Medical Secretary SAM Rizvi, Health Director Srinivasa Rao, VSD Gangadhar, TSMSIDC MD Chandrasekhar Reddy, DME Ramesh Reddy, Kaloji Health University VC Karunakar Reddy, COVID-19 Task Force members Jayesh Ranjan, Vikas Raj, etc.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister KCR said, "Corona is on the decline in the state. In the interest of public welfare, lockdown is being strictly enforced. In this context, a two-pronged strategy needs to be implemented to reduce the spread of corona. At the same time, corona suspects should not be denied tests. Tests should be performed on all those who come to primary health care and medical centres unconditionally. The vast majority of those who come for the tests are extremely poor, so no one should be denied,'' the Chief Minister said.

Following the decision to increase corona tests, the Chief Minister ordered that the number of rapid antigen kits be increased to 50 lakhs immediately. The chief medical officer was instructed to speak with the suppliers and take measures to increase the supply of kits to the PHCs and all test centres.

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) directed Dr. G Srinivas Rao, Director of Public Health and Family Welfare, to immediately conduct a teleconference with the District Medical and Health Officers (DMHOs) in the state to inquire about the recruitment process and the need for infrastructure such as medicines in hospitals and prepare a report. The Chief Minister made it clear that he would not hesitate to take necessary steps to control the Coronavirus cases under the present circumstances and at any cost.

He said that in the wake of the lockdown expenditure of certain departments will increase and other departments might decrease. The Chief Minister also directed Minister T Harish Rao to identify the departments that are likely to cut costs and increase the budget for the police and health departments, which are likely to see an increase in expenditure, and to conduct a review meeting over the issue.

KCR stated that the measures are taken in Delhi and other States which effectively curtailed the corona cases apart from the lockdown should be studied, and if necessary, a special team visit Delhi for this purpose.

He suggested increasing the number of oxygen beds in all government hospitals and make arrangements to increase the oxygen production up to 600 tonnes.

He also instructed Industries Minister KT Rama Rao who is the chairperson for the Covid-19 Task Force to convene a meeting with the vaccine manufacturers immediately for the supply of vaccines to ensure that people get their second dose of vaccination.

The Chief Minister also wanted the State administration to be fully prepared for the anticipated third wave of Covid-19, whenever it takes place. " We have made good progress in containing the pandemic, but must strive harder to bring down the positivity rate to five per cent,'' he said.

He instructed officials to allocate 150 beds in Gandhi Hospital and 250 beds in ENT Hospital for the treatment of black fungus. The Chief Minister discussed the issue of increasing beds in hospitals other than the existing ones. The Chief Minister said 200 beds in Sarojini Devi Hospital and 160 beds in Gandhi Hospital should be allocated for the treatment of black fungus.

He also said that officials should also increase the number of beds to 1,500 across the state. Set up at least 1,100 beds in Hyderabad and up to 400 in the districts, he said. In addition to increasing the number of beds, the Chief Minister said that medicines needed to treat black fungus should be estimated, ordered immediately to treat back fungus accordingly.

The Chief Minister urged the public medical systems, as well as the private medical sector, and other allied sectors to respond with a humanitarian perspective and unitedly fight against COVID.