TS to add 10k COVID19 beds in govt hospitals, 5 lakh free medical kits

Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar along with Secretary to CM, Rajashekar Reddy held a meeting with senior officials and took stock of the Covid situation in the state.

Beds

The Chief Secretary said that the oxygen supply will be created for an additional 10,000 beds in Government hospital taking the total to 20,000.

Last year in September there were 18,232 covid beds in the State in Government and Private Sector. This has been increased to 49,133 beds. The chief secretary also said that special efforts are on to further increase the number to 60,000 beds.

It is decided to increase beds particularly in NIMS (500), Sarojini Devi (200), Chest hospital (50), Gandhi (200), TIMS (200). Further covid beds in hospitals like Golconda (100), Malakpet (100), Vanasthalipuram (100), Ameerpet (50) will be set up in about a week.

Call centres

The chief secretary said that there will be call centres in all districts to cater to the needs of Covid positive patients.

In GHMC, call centre (040-21111111) to provide support to covid patients.

Medical kits

Arrangements for a further 5 lakh free medical kits in addition to the existing stock of 7.5 lakh for covid patients in home isolation and other symptomatic persons. The chief secretary said that the government will set up the provision of home delivery of medical kits for covid positive patients.

Procurement

In order to avoid any shortage of essential drugs and consumables, a team headed by Sandeep Sultania.

As per the directions of CM, all vacancies in hospitals and PHCs will be filled up by a special recruitment drive by walk-in interviews to ensure quality services to patients. Raghunandan, Commissioner, PR&RD has been made responsible for the recruitment of vacancies from time to time by walk-in-interview at district level by District Collectors.

In view of the demand for drugs like Remdesivir, a special team headed by Jayesh Ranjan has been constituted to procure adequate quantities for the State.

Senior IAS officers have been appointed as Special officers for major Government hospitals in Hyderabad to further improving the quality of services.

In the districts, other than GHMC, Collector will be the Special officer for the biggest hospital in the district. Senior district officers will be Special officers for other hospitals.

Vaccination

The Government of India had indicated only 4.4 lakh doses for Telangana for May 2021 against a population of 1.72 crore persons in the 18-44 years age group. The Chief Secretary has written a letter to allot more vaccine for the State.

The Government of India has indicated an allotment of 8.35 lakh doses for the first fortnight of May against a requirement of 30.45 lakh doses for the second dose for persons of age more than 45 years. CS has written to Govt. of India for enhanced allocation.

Oxygen

Due to constant monitoring, use of IAF aircraft and railway rakes to send tankers to Odisha, oxygen supply is maintained at satisfactory levels. However, with increased occupancy, the need for oxygen will grow. Efforts are on to augment supplies. Chief Secretary has written to GoI to allocate 600 MT oxygen to the State against the present allocation of 430 MT per day.