Deputy Chief Minister and District in-charge minister Govind Karajol issued a stern warning that a case should be filed against those who violate COVID norms and who fail to do their duty.
He was speaking after presiding over a high-level meeting held on Thursday (May 6) at the Circuit house for the control and treatment of COVID in the district.
The officials must continuously monitor the oxygen availability. There should be no shortage of oxygen in private or government hospitals.
Health Department officials and staff should work for 24 hours and doctors should visit the COVID wards regularly.
The minister said he was worried about the rapid increase in infection rates in some talukas, including Gokak, Savadatti, and Belagavi.
He said that a proposal to set up a laboratory for COVID testing would be taken up on priority.
Those who have already received the first vaccine should give preference to the second dose. Health department officials must take action to prevent the vaccine from being wasted.
Another Oxygen Unit for BIMS
The Chief Secretary has been requested to set up another oxygen storage unit for BIMS and the minister has asked the officials to submit a proposal for the same.
A request has been made to establish ONGC Oxygen Unit at Bagalkot and Belagavi district. So a follow-up must be done on this he added.
He instructed deploying additional tankers or drivers to ensure there was no shortage of oxygen.
There should be adequate workforce in the war room to provide emergency care and information regarding beds for the infected patients
The war room must function as a war room and help the needy. Information should be provided immediately to the public who are asking for help or information. Every call must be properly responded.
There are a total of 102 ambulances in the district.
The district should take over the oxygen cylinders of the sugar factories in the district. The minister said the cylinders should be returned to their respective factories after the situation improves.
Remdesivir will be manufactured in Belagavi itself by this month-end and this would end the shortage issue, he opined.
KMF President Balachandra Jarakihioli has said that he would provide 200 oxygen beds.
Speaking on the occasion, Umesh Katti, Minister of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, said a committee should be set up to allocate beds in government and private hospitals.
Abha Patil, MLA said BIMS has 850 oxygen beds and said the problem can be solved if adequate oxygen supply is provided.
Relatives of patients who are being treated at the hospital have also been advised to stop going to COVID wards.
BIMS pharmacist is not responding properly to the public. He demanded immediate suspension.
In response, the district in-charge minister instructed the district surgeon to immediately suspend the pharmacist who was negligent on duty.