Raipur, 23 April 2021. Chief Minister Mr. Baghel has requested Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi to provide COVID vaccine to the states at the same rate at which Government of India is receiving the stock. This will reduce the financial burden on States, said Mr. Baghel. Chief Minister also demanded for the time-table of vaccine supply from Central Government to the State, for vaccination of health workers, frontline workers and people of age more than 45 years. This will help the state to chalk out proper action plan for vaccination of eligible people in the state. Mr. Baghel made this request today in a virtual meeting of Chief Ministers of various states, chaired by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi to review the mechanism of COVID control and progress of vaccination. Health Minister Mr. T.S. Singhdev, Home Minister Mr. Tamradhwaj Sahu and Chief Secretary Mr. Amitabh Jain also attended the meeting online. Meanwhile in New Delhi, Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, Railway Minister Shri Piyush Goyal and NITI Aayog member Dr. V.K. Paul was also present with the Prime Minister.
In the meeting, Chief Minister Mr. Baghel said to the Prime Minister that the way oxygen producing states are providing their post-need additional oxygen to other states on priority, the producers of redmisivir and other life-saving medicines should also start supplying the same to the other states on priority basis. Government of India should issue guidelines in the context. In view of the abundance of steel industries in the state, Mr. Baghel requested Prime Minister to provide permission for production and use of industrial oxygen in Chhattisgarh. This will not only save the economy from getting adversely affected but will also protect thousands of families associated with these industries from employment crisis.
Mr. Baghel also informed Prime Minister about the progress in COVID vaccination drive. He told that nearly 18% of the state’s population has been given the first dose of the vaccine. He further informed that 90% of the healthworkers, 84% of the frontline workers and 69% of people of age above 45 ages. He said that to prevent entry of COVID infected people from other states, tests are being conducted at the inter-state borders, airports, bus stands and railway stations.
Chief Minister informed that the facilities at hospitals and COVID care centers are being continuously expanded for treatment of COVID patients. COVID treatment rates in private hospitals have been capped. Retired Doctors and other medical staffs along with new doctors are being recruited to expand the human resources in medical field. Proper system has been created to stop blackmarketing and hoarding of Remdesivir and to ensure its supply to the ones in need. Chief Minister informed Prime Minister that the support of medical experts, social organizations, urban bodies and panchayati raj institutions is being taken to control the situation. DMF, CSR and MP fund and MLA funds are also being utilized for COVID control and development of required facilities.
Chief Minsiter said that for production of oxygen in Chhattisgarh, licenses have been issued to eight new industrial units. Total 29 units are producing medical oxygen in the state. Chhattisgarh has also been supply the post-need additional oxygen to other states. The review meeting was also attended by Health Department Additional Chief Secretary Mrs. Renu G Pillai, Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Siddhartha Komal Pardeshi and Director National Health Mission Dr Priyanka Shukla.
