Covid 3rd wave: Amarinder orders mission mode preparedness, training of doctors by June end

Chandigarh, May 20 (Agency) Amid projections and concerns of a possible third wave of Covid and its impact on children, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Thursday ordered the Health department to go into mission mode with preparation, which will include specialised training of all doctors by the end of June, while directing house-to-house surveillance to control the current spread of the disease in the rural areas. Reviewing the Covid situation in the state during a virtual meeting, the Chief Minister directed the state expert group head Dr K K Talwar to look into all aspects of medical education, and to get training modules prepared for the Health department. He underlined the need to ensure that all Medical Officers in the state are trained to deal with Covid, especially in children.

Expressing concern over the spread of Covid in rural areas, Capt Amarinder directed that teams of Health and other departments immediately start house-to-house surveillance in every village. The teams should be equipped to give basic medicines without delay, and RAT testing of symptomatic persons must be got done at the earliest, he said. He also directed that some CHCs in each district be prepared as L2 facilities, with oxygen concentrators and doctors with proper treatment protocols. Stressing the importance of involving Sarpanches in this exercise, the Chief Minister ordered their prioritisation, along with that of Panches, as well as Block Samiti and Zila Parishad Chairmen and members, in vaccination. The Police Department must also provide support, especially through their Village Police Officers, he added.