Covid-19 Mock Drills To Be Held At Health Facilities Across States On Tuesday. Key Points

In the event of a surge in COVID cases in India, this is done to ensure readiness in terms of oxygen support and ICU beds, among other preparedness measures.

New Delhi: In response to the COVID alarm, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare decided on Saturday to hold mock drills on December 27 at all health facilities across the country due to an increase in infection in many countries. In the event of a surge in COVID cases in India, this is done to ensure readiness in terms of oxygen support and ICU beds, among other preparedness measures.

"It has therefore been decided to hold mock drill at all health facilities (including identified COVID-dedicated health facilities) across the country on Tuesday, 27th December 2022," the Ministry said on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday said, "Tomorrow, a mock drill will be conducted throughout country at all COVID hospitals. All States Health Ministers will also take part in this at their level."

Here Are The Key Points: 

- The exercise will focus on factors like the number of health facilities in each district, the capacity of isolation beds, oxygen-supported beds, ICU beds, ventilator-supported beds, and the best number of doctors, nurses, paramedics, AYUSH doctors, and other frontline workers, such as ASHA and Anganwadi workers.

- It will also concentrate on human resource capacity, such as the availability of Advanced and Basic Life Support (ALS/BLS) ambulances, testing equipment and reagents, and essential drugs, as well as healthcare professionals trained in ventilatory management protocols for severe cases.

- The Union Health Ministry on Saturday emphasized that necessary public health measures must be implemented in all states and UTs to meet any exigencies, citing the surge in COVID-19 trajectory in many countries around the world.

- In a letter, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan stated, "Preparedness of COVID-19 health facilities is crucial to ensure that states and districts are in a state of readiness to meet increase in clinical care needs due to any spurt in cases." He stated, "The objective of this exercise is to ensure operational readiness of these health facilities for management of COVID-19."

- Bhushan added that the additional chief secretary, principal secretary, secretary (health), or MD-NHM of each state will be responsible for following up on any gap assessments and will also be responsible for personally monitoring the process under the direction of the health minister of each state.

- After two new cases were reported from Unnao and Agra, the Uttar Pradesh government on Monday activated the administrative machinery to test Covid preparedness and management, including conducting mock drills at medical colleges and hospitals across the state.

- In light of the rise in Covid cases in some countries, authorities said, Delhi government officials began physically visiting all government hospitals in the city on Monday to assess their preparedness for any situation.

- "We have started physically visiting all government hospitals. An inventory of beds, liquid medical oxygen, ventilators and other equipment is being prepared. It will be ready by Monday evening," East Delhi District Magistrate Anil Banka said.

- On Tuesday, all city government hospitals will participate in a mock drill in accordance with the Centre's instructions.

According to data that was updated on Monday by the Union Health Ministry, India experienced a single-day increase of 196 coronavirus infections while the number of active cases slightly increased to 3,428, The total number of cases of Covid was 4.46 crore (4,46,77,302).

(With PTI Inputs)