Andhra Government Working To Provide 5,000 Beds In COVID Care Centres

Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh government is taking steps to provide 5,000 beds for COVID care centres in each district of the state. Speaking to reporters, COVID-19 Task Force Committee chairman MT Krishna Babu said that currently, 46,198 beds are available in COVID care centres in the state. West Godavari, East Godavari and Chittoor districts have already reached the capacity of 5,000 beds, while the remaining districts will also be equipped with an ample number of beds and the Joint Collector (development) will monitor the facility, according to the COVID-19 Task Force Committee Chairman. He added that besides equipping COVID-care centres, COVID hospitals and quarantine centres are also being made ready with all the necessary facilities.

Also Read: How Andhra Pradesh Has Been Fighting Against Coronavirus And Is The State Prepared For The Upcoming Peak

Mr. Babu said that the Chief Minister has reviewed the Covid-19 situation in detail and gave directions to set up a special division for COVID related queries in 1902 helpline, where the inmates can dial the toll-free to provide feedback or lodge any complaints related to food, sanitation or medical services.

In all the centres there will be a display of the toll-free number, where patients can contact. We will be taking feedback from the inmates of COVID hospitals, quarantine centres and COVID-care centres and also monitor the complaints we receive. Besides this, we will be calling to those discharged on a random basis to check on the overall facilities provided to them. Apart from the toll-free helpline, even help desks will be made available for the inmates and the centre in-charge will be put on duty, he said.

As per the Union Health Ministry, there were 38,044 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Andhra Pradesh till Friday. This included 18,159 active cases and 19,393 cured and discharged cases. 492 deaths have been reported due to the disease so far.

Also Read: Healthcare System In Andhra Pradesh Gets A Boost, Chief Minister Launches 1,088 Ambulance Vehicles And Mobile Health Units

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.