COVID-19 Pandemic: ‘Black Fungus A New Challenge’, Says PM Modi While Interacting With Frontline Workers From Varanasi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (May 21) warned against the ‘new challenge of Black Fungus’ that has emerged in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Urging people to prepare to fight the black fungus infection or mucormycosis which is proving to be fatal in some cases, PM Modi said, “It is important to pay attention to the necessary precautions and order to deal with it.” PM Modi also talked about the role of vaccines and how vaccination has helped healthcare workers serve the nation. He urged people to take the vaccine when their turn comes. PM Modi was interacting with doctors and of Varanasi today through video conference.

Also Read: COVID Challenge Remains As Long As Infection Exists Even At Minor Scale: PM Modi

During his interaction, PM Modi talked about the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and said,

In the second wave of corona, we are fighting on multiple fronts at the same time. The rate of infection is also much more and patients are in hospital for a longer time. This has put pressure on our health system.

PM Modi thanked doctors and other healthcare workers for their relentless hard work during these trying times. He also spoke about people who have lost their lives to COVID-19 and was visibly emotional while paying tribute.

This virus has … snatched many of loved ones from us. I pay my humble tribute to them and I express my condolences to the families who lost people, he said.

Also Read: PM Modi Reviews COVID-19 Situation, Stresses States Should Not Let COVID Vaccination Speed Go Down

PM said that the plans that have been made and the campaigns that have been run in our country in the last few years, have helped a lot in fighting Coronavirus. Initiatives like the toilets built under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the free treatment facilities under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, the gas cylinders under the Ujjwala scheme, the Jan Dhan bank accounts or the Fit India campaign, awareness of Yoga and AYUSH have increased the strength of the people in the fight against Coronavirus.

Calling for a special attention to rural areas, PM Modi gave a new mantra, ‘Jahaan Bimar, Vahi Upchaar’ (wherever there is illness, there should be treatment). He also stressed on the role of ASHA and ANM (Axillary nurse midwife) workers in fighting the COVID-19 in rural areas and called to use their potential and experience.

Also Read: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Speaks To COVID-19 Frontline Warriors On ‘Mann Ki Baat’

PM Modi also talked about the threat of COVID-19 to children. Asking people to protect children, PM Modi said, “We have to remember that our fight is against an invisible and shifting enemy. In this fight, we have to protect our children as well and have to make special arrangements for them as well.”

Experts have predicted a possibility of the third wave of the COVID-19 which is likely to affect children more.

Also Read: COVID-19 Rapidly Spreading In Rural Areas: PM Narendra Modi

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.