Mansukh Mandaviya is at the centre of PM Modi’s enormous pandemic relief plan

Amid the ongoing second wave phase of the Covid-19 pandemic, India is all set to combat the deadly virus with the Modi government’s enormous pandemic relief plan. Just after Mansukh Mandaviya was inducted in Modi government’s newly expanded cabinet as the new Health Minister, he announced that keeping in mind the third wave of the virus, the cabinet had cleared Rs. 23,132 crore package for covid management.

Boosting the health infrastructure of the country, amid the ongoing second wave of the pandemic, Mandaviya announced that out of this Rs. 23,000 crore package, the Centre will give Rs. 15,000 crores, while the state will give Rs 8,000 crores.

However, the enormous pandemic relief plan proves that Mandaviya is at the centre of everything. He is experienced with Chemical Fertiliser Ministry and would be able to manage India’s fight against Covid-19 way better. Moreover, Mandaviya’s involvement with the API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) an essential ingredient in the production of medicines in India, can help India become a global leader in pharma.

The new pandemic relief plan announced by Mandaviya approves of new schemes based on the ministry’s past experience of dealing with covid-19. PM Modi announced the same on Twitter, as he said, “To further strengthen the fight against Corona, a new package of more than 23 thousand crore rupees has been approved. Under this, necessary arrangements like pediatric care units to ICU beds, oxygen storage, ambulances and medicines will be made in all the districts of the country.”

The Health Minister mentioned child health care as he announced the new package which includes provision for 20,000 new ICU beds. About 20 per cent of the fund will be meant for children or will be used for a hybrid purpose for both children and adults, Mandaviya said. The package also has the provision for 736 district paediatric care units.

According to the official press release, a total of 1050 Liquid Medical Oxygen Storage Tanks with Medical Gas Pipeline System (MGPS) will be installed across various districts along with the allocation of 8,800 ambulances. Moreover, Mandaviya’s package aims at creating pre-fabricated structures for adding additional beds at the existing CHCs, PHCs and SHCs and supporting the establishment of field hospitals.

The new scheme aims to accelerate health system preparedness for immediate response to early prevention, detection, and management, with the focus on health infrastructure development including for paediatric care and with measurable outcomes, also keeping in mind the challenges faced earlier. The package will be implemented within nine months. This was the first cabinet meeting after Prime Minister Narendra Modi reshuffled his council of ministers and the announcement of the pandemic relief package will surely boost the goal of nation-building. Mansukh Mandaviya’s efforts are much acknowledged to bring about such positive measures.