As the second wave of the China-made coronavirus pandemic continues to surge, the Yogi Adityanath government of Uttar Pradesh has decided to deploy retired doctors, retired personnel of the armed forces and para-medical staff into service to counter the caseload.
“Many of those who had emerged victorious in the battle against COVID-19 are willing to serve the patients. In this context, in order to increase the manpower at hospitals, experiences of retired doctors, lab technicians and paramedical staff along with retired personnel of the armed forces can be availed,” said Adityanath at a virtual high-level review meeting.
The CM further remarked that work should be done to double the number of COVID beds, and the beds should be increased in all the districts.
No dearth of oxygen supply: Yogi Adityanath
While the patients around the country are battling for oxygen and oxygen cylinders, CM Adityanath ensured that the state had no shortage of oxygen but the only problem was black-marketing of it.
“There is no shortage of oxygen in any COVID hospital, be it private or government. The problem is black marketing and hoarding, which will be tackled with a heavy hand,” said the state CM who further added. “We are going to conduct an oxygen audit in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, IIM Lucknow and IIT BHU for proper monitoring of oxygen. The system of live tracking of oxygen demand, supply and distribution will be implemented,”
He informed, “We have made arrangements for oxygen plants in government institutions. There was a lack of this system in private institutions. Work is on to set up 31 new oxygen plants including 18 plants based on DRDO’s latest technology.”
With the third phase of the vaccination process set to begin from May 1 and the registration process expected to start later in the evening today, the Yogi administration has already decided to administer the Covid-19 vaccine free of cost to all those above 18 years of age.
“Dear state-citizens, in the meeting of the Council of Ministers today it has been decided that coronavirus vaccination of all the people above 18 years of age in Uttar Pradesh will be made free… Coronavirus will lose, India will win,” Adityanath had tweeted.
प्यारे प्रदेशवासियों,
आज मंत्रिपरिषद की बैठक में यह निर्णय लिया गया है कि उत्तर प्रदेश में 18 वर्ष से अधिक आयु के सभी प्रदेशवासियों का कोरोना टीकाकरण @UPGovt द्वारा निःशुल्क कराया जाएगा।
कोरोना हारेगा, भारत जीतेगा…
— Yogi Adityanath (मोदी का परिवार) (@myogiadityanath) April 20, 2021
Being the most populous state of the country, the Yogi administration has managed to keep the case count in check so far when compared to other states such as Maharashtra and Kerala. However, the state infrastructure is still being tested to the hilt but hopefully, the pressing of retired doctors and ex-servicemen into service might help plug the gaps.