Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi assessed the situation with regard to Covid-19, the readiness of the health infrastructure and logistics, the status of vaccination campaigns in the country, as well as the emergence of new variants of Covid-19 and their implications for public health. An increase in COVID-19 cases in some countries has prompted this high-level meeting.
Secretary of Health and Member, NITI Aayog presented a comprehensive overview of the global Covid-19 situation. A briefing was provided to the Prime Minister on the steady decline in cases. This was done with an average daily case count of 153 cases and a weekly positivity rate of 0.14% for the week ending 22 December 2022. However, 5.9 lakh daily average cases have been reported globally in the last 6 weeks.
The Prime Minister cautioned against complacency and advised strict vigilance. It has been reiterated that Covid is not over yet, and he has directed officials to strengthen ongoing surveillance measures, especially at international airports.
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of maintaining high levels of readiness at all levels of the Covid infrastructure, including equipment, processes, and human resources. Covid facilities should be audited to ensure the operational readiness of hospital infrastructure, such as oxygen cylinders, PSA plants, ventilators, and human resources.
The Prime Minister directed officials to increase testing and genomic sequencing efforts. States have been asked to share a large number of samples with the designated INSACOG Genome Sequencing Laboratories (lGSLs) for Genome Sequencing on a daily basis. It will allow timely detection of new variants, if any, circulating in the country and facilitate the implementation of appropriate public health measures.
In view of the upcoming festive season, the Prime Minister urged everyone to comply with Covid appropriate behavior at all times, including wearing masks in crowded public places. In addition, the Prime Minister urged that precautionary doses be encouraged, especially for vulnerable and elderly individuals.
As far as medicine, vaccines, and hospital beds are concerned, the Prime Minister was informed that there is adequate availability. His advice was to monitor the availability and price of essential medicines on a regular basis.
Highlighting the globally appreciated work of frontline healthcare workers, the Prime Minister exhorted them to continue working in the same selfless and dedicated manner.
The meeting was attended by Shri. Amit Shah, Union Home Minister; Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Health and Family Welfare; Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia, Minister of Civil Aviation, Dr. S. Jaishankar; Minister of External Affairs, Shri Anurag Thakur, Minister of Information and Broadcasting; Smt. Bharati Pravin Pawar, Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare; Shri PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to PM, Shri Parameswaran Iyer, CEO, NITI Aayog; Dr. V K Paul, Member (Health) NITI Aayog; Shri. Rajiv Gauba, Cabinet Secretary; Shri Amit Khare, Advisor, PMO; Shri. A.K. Bhalla, Home Secretary; Shri. Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary (HFW); Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary (DHR); Shri Arun Baroka, Secretary, Pharmaceuticals (I/C); along with other senior officials.