Govt’s Covid survey highlights poor health infrastructure at district level

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 2

Poor state of health infrastructure at district and sub-district levels and a large number of migrant population are the highlighting points in the Covid-19 preparedness survey in which District Collectors and IAS Officers (2014-2018 batches) responded to a set of posers issued by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances from 410 districts across the country.

Severe shortage of ventilators

District Collectors and IAS Officers from 410 districts participated in the Covid-19 preparedness survey and highlighted lack of adequate ventilator machines and personal protection equipment (masks, gloves, etc.), medical staff and doctors in district and sub-district hospitals.

In the survey report, which was released today by Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh, the officers said the medical preparedness concerns largely because of lack of adequate ventilator machines and personal protection equipment (masks, gloves, etc.), medical staff and doctors in district and sub-district hospitals

As some startling facts have come out in the Survey, the minister said it will serve as a "benchmark for policy makers at national and state levels".

The survey identified the need for enhanced hospital preparedness in district/sub-district hospitals, with 40 per cent of officials responding that hospitals were adequately not prepared. The availability of adequate isolation beds in district/ sub-district hospitals was agreed by approximately 50 per cent officers; with 28 per cent disagreeing to its availability. The non-availability of adequate ventilator machines in district/ sub-district hospitals is highlighted as an area of concern in the survey.

Nearly 92 per cent of the officers said people's awareness about the threat of Covid-19 pandemic is very high and 75 per cent said people were taking precautions to cope with the threat of Covid-19. There were responses said awareness generation is needed in some districts.

Similarly, 69 per cent respondents took the view that people are handling the Covid-19 lockdown in a peaceful and orderly manner on being questioned on public being alarmed and panicking, whilst 31 per cent agreed that people are alarmed and panicking.