Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday interacted with the Chief Ministers of Northeast (NE) states on present Covid-19 situation and progress of vaccination through video conferencing. During the interaction Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb briefed about vaccination status, present health care infrastructure as well as thrust of primary sector to keep the State economy afloat.
Speaking to the NE CMs, Prime Minister emphasized testing, tracking and treatment against corona virus.
The PM said, “It is important to generate more awareness in every district of the Northeastern states where rise in infection has been observed.” He suggested to continue encouraging the locals to follow health guidelines like maintaining 2m distance, wearing mask, washing hands etc and to involve social, political and religious personalities in spreading awareness on this.
The PM also emphasized creating micro-containment zones in Northeast states to prevent the spread of corona virus, only then rapid progress in the fight against Covid-19 will be possible. Prime Minister lauded the significant progress of testing and vaccination infrastructure in the Northeast states, despite of various geographical challenges and urged to continue the drive with importance.
Prime Minister said, “Northeast states have to emphasize development of testing and treatment infrastructure to fight Covid-19. A new package of 23 thousand crone rupees has been announced for the development of testing and treatment infrastructure in the central cabinet meeting through which every Northeast state will get assistance to empower their health infrastructures. The central government has granted permission to set up 150 oxygen plants in the Northeast as availability of oxygen is important to fight Covid-19.”
He urged the Northeastern states to implement these oxygen plants soon.
Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb in the conference briefed upon the measures taken by the state government to control the spread. He said, “Covid vaccination drive in the state is pacing up. First dose of covid vaccine has been done 100% and second dose of covid vaccine has been done 54.56% for 45 years above age group. First dose of covid vaccine has been done 56.40% and second dose of covid vaccine has been done 1.55% for 18 years above age group.
Out of 1,178 Gram Panchayats and villages in the state, vaccination has been done in 189 villages, 7 out of 20 urban local bodies and 2 blocks. The state presently has 2 lakh 25 thousand vaccines. With more 6 lakh 25 thousand vaccines, the whole state can be fully vaccinated within 7 days.”
Deb said, “At present state health infrastructure has developed 3 times than earlier. Dedicated Covid hospital, dedicated Covid care centre, ICU beds, oxygen attached beds etc have increased in numbers.
The state has 29 dedicated Covid care centres with 3,529 beds, 1028 oxygen attached beds, 157 ventilators, 3 oxygen plants and 1700 oxygen concentrators. More 22 oxygen plants are being constructed presently.”
Tripura Chief Minister stated the state government has been working to develop primary sectors including agriculture to keep the economy of the state stable during the pandemic and that food packages and assistances are being given to poor and the needy families during the curfew.
The Chief Ministers of each Northeast state briefed the Prime Minister about Covid measures taken in their respective states. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh were also present in the video conference. From the state Chief Secretary Kumar Alok, Principal Secretary of Health J.K Sinha and other health officials were present in the conference.
