COVID-19: AP to set up oxygen generation plants in 140 hospitals by Dec 15

During a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, officials said there are 3366 active cases across the state and the positivity rate is 0.7 percent. They said that 23,457 oxygen concentrators and 27,311 D-type oxygen cylinders have been made available.

Officials said the state government is setting up oxygen generation plants in 140 hospitals. They will be ready by December 15. The officials informed the Chief Minister that 3,35,59,940 people were administered the vaccine. Of them, 1,17,71,458 received a first dose and 2,17,88,482 were fully vaccinated. So far, 5,53,48,422 doses of vaccine have been utilized in the state.

Earlier, the Chief Minister held a review meeting on the priority programmes of the Health Department including Kanti Velugu, vaccination, health hubs, and construction of new medical colleges.

During the review, Chief Minister directed the authorities to expedite the works of YSR Health Clinics along with Nadu-Nedu in government hospitals across the State. The officials have informed that funds have already been released for these works, where the construction of 8585 health clinics has already started.

Regarding Nadu-Nedu works, the authorities said that the repair works will be completed by December this year. The construction of 146 new PHCs are expected to complete by March 2022.

Reviewing YSR Kanti Velugu, the Chief Minister said to conduct eye-screenings for those who were not tested earlier and directed the officials to initiate a week-long special drive for the completion of the Kanti Velugu programme.

He told the authorities to provide glasses to those identified with eye problems and monitor regularly by connecting with 104 service and village health clinics.

The officials informed that so far 13,58,173 people who are aged above 60 years have been tested and provided spectacles to 4,69,481 and performed surgeries on 1,00,223 people suffering from eye problems. They said the programme had got interrupted due to Covid.

Regarding YSR Aarogyasri, the Chief Minister instructed the officials to strictly enforce the scheme across the state. The scheme was launched to provide free treatment to patients, including those suffering from cancer.

The authorities informed that the number of Aarogyasri services has increased to 2446 medical procedures from 1059 treatments. Similarly, the number of network hospitals was also increased to 1717 from 919 and almost 3,18,746 new beneficiaries were brought under the scheme. Through Aarogya Asara, so far 7,82,652 people have received Rs 439.4 crore as financial support after undergoing surgeries.