Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu joined NewsX on Friday for a conversation and informed that the state does not have many cases of black fungus but they have already started preparations on a war-footing manner to stop the spread before things go beyond control.
Excerpts:
Q. Why do you think that in every state the positive rate is declining but not the death rates? People are alleging that states are hiding real facts. How Punjab is doing on this front?
There is no such discrepancy happening in Punjab, we have ensured fair testing and recoveries. The second wave has been tough for us all due to which a lot of people are having a hard time. We have ensured testing on the ground level and followed up well to make sure that people don’t have side effects. Even in rural areas, people are asked to get involved in the process of vaccination and testing.
Q. How is the state dealing with Black Fungus?
Punjab does not have many cases of Black Fungus. We have already started preparations on a war footing manner to stop the spread before things go beyond control.
Q. Are you considering announcing Balck Fungus as an epidemic?
Yes, we have done that.
Q. What do you think is the reason behind the shortage of vaccines? Do you think the coordination between the Centre and states is the real issue?
We had to shut down so many vaccine centres because of the same reason. And to tackle the issue we have released global tenders so that private and international players can directly approach us.
Q. How is the state ensuring to decrease the spread of the virus in villages?
We are doing door-to-door vaccination in rural areas and educating them about the same. We have asked communities to come forward and cooperate with the state government.
Q. How are you preparing for the third wave of Covid-19 which is expected to be more harmful to children?
We have already informed our healthcare experts to prepare and convey the guidelines for the same. Our teams are working on the ground so that we can cope up with the third wave.