In view of rising cases of COVID-19, the Centre has asked the States and Union Territories to initiate the creation of field or makeshift hospitals to augment the availability of health infrastructure. In a letter to the State Chief Secretaries and Health Secretaries, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that the arrangement can be done in coordination with DRDO, CSIR as well as Private Sector, Corporations, NGOs and others. He said, this will add the process of rapid creation of field hospitals or temporary hospital set-ups. States were also suggested to consider leveraging hotel rooms and other accommodation linked with the COVID dedicated hospitals in government and private sectors to cater to patients having symptoms.
Bhushan said that all states must ensure that Control Rooms at the district level or sub-district or ward level are made functional. He said, a clearly defined mechanism to access testing, ambulance and hospital beds needs to be put in place and communicated to the public at large. States and UTs have also been requested to ensure that the existing COVID dedicated health infrastructure is revisited and necessary action to ensure it operational readiness be taken. He suggested that a clear focus on rural areas and pediatric cases must also be maintained. He asked states to regularly review the availability of required logistics, oxygen availability and buffer stock of drugs across all health facilities in the states.
Bhushan reiterated that the Centre will continue to provide requisite support to States and UTs in the ongoing and collective efforts against COVID-19.
