India Fights Coronavirus: Centre Sanctions Rs 15,000 Cr Emergency Response Package For States, UTs

The package aims to fight the coronavirus pandemic which has so far claimed 169 lives in the country.

(File Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: The central government on Thursday implemented its decision to sanction Rs 15,000 crore for the India Covid-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package. The package aims to fight the coronavirus pandemic which has so far claimed 169 lives in the country. The initiatives will be implemented under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Approximately Rs 7,774 crore from the funds will be used for an immediate emergency response to Covid-19 cases and the remaining amount for medium-term support over one to four years to be provided under the mission mode approach, said a release from the Union government.

Government sanctions Rs. 15000 crores for 'India #COVID19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package'@MoHFW_INDIA#IndiaFightsCorona

Details: https://t.co/odTnosi1WI — PIB India ???????? #StayHome #StaySafe (@PIB_India) April 9, 2020

The project will be implemented from January 2020 to March 2024 in three phases. Its primary objectives include boosting emergency response to limit the spread of the virus in India by developing the means of diagnostics and dedicated treatment facilities. It will centralize the procurement of essential medical equipment and drugs that are needed for the treatment of infected patients. Then, it also aims to build national and state health systems in order to support prevention and prepare the country from any future outbreaks as well as establish laboratories, bio-security, research and surveillance activities. The plan also includes conducting communication activities to educate citizens about the risks in an engaging manner. The ministry has revealed that so far it has distributed Rs 4,113 crore to all states and Union Territories to deal with the emergency coronavirus response. Watch: Steep rise in number of COVID-19 cases in India within 24 hours | Namaste Bharat (09.04.2020)