Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan today visited All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jhajjar to take stock of preparedness to overcome COVID-19.

Dr Harsh Vardhan stated that the AIIMS Jhajjar will function as dedicated COVID-19 hospital consisting of 300 bed isolation wards which would ensure prompt care for patients in isolation requiring advanced medical support. During his review visit, he visited various facilities housed in the state-of-the-art building having isolation facility for COVID-19 patients, along with Vishram Sadan, the residential quarters of doctors and other health personnel. During his visit he spoke to some COVID-19 affected patients through video call over phone and enquired about their well being. He also sought their feedback about the facilities available in AIIMS, Jhajjar so that necessary improvements can be made.

 Dr Harsh Vardhan also appreciated AIIMS, Jhajjar for ensuring 24X7 monitoring the wellbeing of COVID-19 confirmed and suspected patients using digital platforms and video/ voice call technologies. He added: “In last few days, I have been visiting various hospitals AIIMS (Delhi), LNJP, RML, Safdarjung & now AIIMS Jhajjar to review the preparedness of COVID-19. It is heartening to see the high morale of our health warriors in these testing times.” Stating that he is satisfied with the arrangements made by these hospitals to deal effectively with the pandemic, he commended all the frontline care givers such as nurses, doctors and other healthcare personnel for the resilience, hard work, dedication and commitment shown by them in dealing with COVID-19.

On the issue of ostracisation of the doctors and health workers by the patients and their relatives, he stated that the Home Ministry has taken cognizance of such incidents and advised the authorities to take stringent action under National Security Act. He said “Now our doctors and health warriors should work without fear as the Government is standing in all its strength with them. He said that doctors, nurses, and the healthcare workers deserve our respect, support and cooperation to keep the fight going.”

Further, the Minister stated that the prevention, containment and management of COVID-19 in the country are being monitored at the highest level and various actions have been initiated in collaboration with the States. He informed that Hon’ble Prime Minister is regularly monitoring and reviewing the situation with the top officials of concerned Ministries/ Departments and States/UTs.

Dr Harsh Vardhan urged the people of India to observe the lockdown in letter and spirit and to treat it as an effective intervention to cut down spread of COVID-19. He added “people world over are working tirelessly day and night to find a vaccine against the dreaded virus and till it is not found, we must treat the combination of lockdown and social distancing as an effective social vaccine against COVID-19.”

On the availability of the PPEs, N95 Masks and ventilators the Health Minister stated, “We have already placed order for sufficient quantity in order to meet the increasing requirement of the country in future times if needed.”

He urged the people to come forward and light a lamp at 09 o’clock in the night in consonance to the clarion call given by the Hon’ble Prime Minister to show the solidarity with the country and to take the country forward from darkness to light.

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MV/MR