Devanjana Mukherjee, Khabri Media
The primary focus of the directive is to evaluate the existing infrastructure, medical facilities, and healthcare personnel readiness to effectively manage and contain potential outbreaks.
Pic: Social Media
In the wake of the recent pneumonia outbreak in China, the central government of India has issued a directive to all states, urging them to conduct a comprehensive review of their hospital preparedness.
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The move comes as a precautionary measure to ensure that the healthcare infrastructure is well-equipped to handle potential challenges posed by infectious diseases.
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Amidst a mysterious pneumonia outbreak in China, the Union health ministry on November 26 said it has asked the state governments to review hospital preparedness, even as it underlined that there is “no need for alarm”.
In a recent media release, the department said, “All states and Union territories are advised to implement ‘Operational Guidelines for Revised Surveillance Strategy in the context of COVID-19’.”
Moreover, the Union Health Secretary — in a letter to all the States and Union Territories — advised them to immediately review the preparedness measures in the health department at a senior level.
These measures are, availability of hospital beds, drugs and vaccines for influenza, medical oxygen, antibiotics, personal protective equipment (PPE), testing kits and reagents, functionality of oxygen plants and ventilators, and infection control practices at the health facility centres.
This guideline — which was provided earlier this year — provides integrated surveillance of respiratory pathogens which pose as influenza like illness (ILI) or severe acute respiratory infection (SARI).
They have also been asked to ensure close monitoring of the trends of ILI/SARI by District and state surveillance units of Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP), especially the trends of children and adolescents.
The data of ILI/SARI trends is to be uploaded on the IDSP-IHIP portal, particularly from the public health institutions including medical college hospitals.
The states have also been asked to send the nasal and throat swabs of patients coming in with SARI, with special focus on children and adolescents.
The swabs will be sent to the Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDLs), located in the states for testing for respiratory pathogens. The Health Ministry is closely monitoring the situation indicating that there is no need for raising any alarm.
These measures are being implemented with immediate effect as a precautionary and proactive way to prevent any potential situation from arising. This will also ensure the safety and well being of the citizens.
