Advisor Baseer Khan visits Budgam amid 2nd Wave of COVID-19
Takes stock of arrangements put in place by district administration to mitigate COVID-19 pandemic
Meets DDC and BDC members, religious heads, trade, transport unions and other community representatives
BUDGAM, MAY 18: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan today visited Budgam to take stock of arrangements in view of COVID pandemic. He assessed the status of medical facilities, man power, medical infrastructure, bed capacity and status of Tele medication.
The meeting was attended by DDC Chairman Nazir Ahmad Khan, Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Shahbaz Ahmed Mirza, DDC members, BDCs, Chief Engineer KPDL Aijaz Ahmad Dar, Director RDD Tariq Ahmad Zargar, SSP Budgam Tahir Saleem Khan, representatives of trade union Budgam, transportation union, religious leaders and some political activists.
Speaking on the occasion, Advisor Baseer Khan said that the main objective of the visit to Budgam is to have one to one interaction with all stake holders and to have the feedback about preparedness of adminstration to face this second wave of COVID. He said sincere approach, support and Cooperation from all the segments of the society can prove pivotal in containing Covid-19 spread. With the sustained efforts of administration and public cooperation, in the days to come, the spread of infection is expected to come down.
The Advisor said that Oxygen has turned out to be the most important therapy to deal with this pandemic and J&K adminstration has been working to make the Union Territory self sufficient on this account. Besides having established Oxygen plants in almost every district, we have received seven high quality oxygen plants from Germany.
Advisor Khan said efforts are on to enhance bedding capacities in all the districts to handle any unforseen spike in cases. He said more attention in this aspect is needed at panchayat levels. At the grass root level also intervention is required to identify the locations where facilities like bedding, oxygen, other medical care and equipment can be placed and installed.
The Advisor on the occasion directed department of RDD that all BDOs, BDCs and other Panchayat Representatives in consultation with ACD to prepare a detailed report on the availability of locations, identification of ideal facilities where micro covid care centers could be set up and same should be submitted within 4 days.
The Advisor further said that people should be made aware about advantages of tele consultations and tele medication as this initiative is showing enormous results. Telemedication is benefitting large section of patients within the precincts of their homes. This decreases pressure on the hospitals also.
The Advisor directed District Administration to keep trained consultants and doctors available at all Tehsil and Block Level.
The Advisor directed CMO Budgam to establish a Covid-19 pediatric treatment ward as a proactive approach. He emphasized on aggressive testing as well as vaccination process. He added that the vaccines are expected to arrive today against the orders already placed and directed the Deputy Commissioner to carry out the aggressive vaccination drive as per the micro plans already prepared. He reiterated that people need to be vaccinated as this is the only way to fight pandemic in the long run.
Advisor Khan in his speech urged upon all DDCs and BDCs, Political activists, religious leaders to use their influence and approach in spreading the message and make people aware about the SOPs, guidelines, importance of wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, avoiding unnecessary venturing out and gatherings.
Advisor on the occasion hailed cooperation and support of general public, particularly during current wave. He appreciated the sense of wearing masks as people have started following all instructions in letter and spirit and are wearing face masks.
He further directed deputy commissioner to enforce lock down guidelines strictly, restrict unnecessary movement of people.
The Advisor reiterated that the way people are following all instructions and are implementing guidelines strictly, in immediate future there will be enormous change on ground, defeating the pandemic successfully.
The Advisor on the occasion appreciated and hailed the sincere efforts and resilience shown by all covid-19 warriors.
The Advisor said despite lockdown measures, wage employment will continue as well as construction work provided all SOPs and guidelines are strictly adhered to.
The Deputy Commissioner, Budgam gave a detailed presentation about COVID preparedness. He said 7 sites of Level 2 facilities having 67 level 2 beds, besides 437 level 2 beds, in addition 299 beds equipped with oxygen facility have been kept ready to accommodate the requirement if needed, besides 250 other beds have been put at Covid care center in JAKLI Centre Rangreth. Regarding oxygen supply, the DDC said in coming 2 days 150 cylinders will be provided at 84 locations.
The Deputy Commissioner informed that in the containment zones about 60,000 tests have been done. In order to boost the process further, a door to door surveillance is carried out to track the vulnerable old age and senior citizen patients.
Regarding the supply of ration to needy ones, the DC said under PMGKY 59% ration has been distributed till date. He said to monitor the situation in containment zones on daily basis 24 senior lecturers are on job.
The DC said with relentless efforts from all concerned we have achieved 65% vaccination for person with 45 or above age. He said presently positivity rate has come down and we hope it will continue as such in coming period.