As the country is battling with the harrowing second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, numerous states are witnessing the acute dearth of medical amenities.
In view of COVID-19 vaccine shortage in the state, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Wednesday directed the Health Department to explore all possible options to boost the supply and kick-start the vaccination process for people in 18-44 age group in government hospitals in the state.
As per an official release, the state government had made a payment of Rs 10.37 crore to Serum Institute of India (SII) for procurement of around 30 lakh doses on April 26. “However, no schedule for supply had so far been received from them (SII),” Health Secretary Hussan Lal informed the state cabinet during a virtual meeting chaired by the Chief Minister.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said that vaccination has started in both government and private sectors, but the national capital needs more supply of vaccine doses.
The Delhi CM while on a visit to the vaccination centre at Radha Soami Satsang Beas in Rajendra Nagar area in Delhi said, “Vaccination has started in both government and private sectors. The only problem is that we need the vaccine on large scale but we have received very few doses of vaccine.” “As I have earlier informed that we can vaccinate whole Delhi in three weeks. We can achieve the target if we receive sufficient doses of vaccine,” Kejriwal said.
“We are suffering from the shortage of medical oxygen for the last many days. We are working with the Centre regarding this. We are trying that Delhi gets the share of medical oxygen that it needs. We have received a lot of support from the Supreme Court and the High Court in this regard,” the Delhi CM told ANI over the shortage of oxygen in the national capital. He further said that the Delhi government is trying its best to supply oxygen wherever it is needed and to prevent deaths due to a shortage of oxygen.
Likewise, the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday requesting him to ensure adequate supply of COVID vaccines, medical oxygen, and drugs like Remdesivir and Tocilizumab to the state.
She once again requested the Prime Minister for free COVID vaccination for all citizens. “Free vaccination as Universal immunization for all in a transparent and time-bound manner. At present, vaccine availability is too inadequate to provide to eligible beneficiaries and the Government of India direction 10 extend vaccination upto 18 years plus makes an unrealistic to achieve. So, the supply of vaccines is the core issue to address now. Ensuring adequate availability of essential drugs including Remdesivir and Tocilizumab to the States to meet their rising demand. At least, 10,000 doses of Remdesivir and 1000 vials of Tocilizumab is the daily requirement in our State,” she said.
Mamata Banerjee’s letter comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted her for her party’s victory in the recently concluded West Bengal assembly polls.
“Congratulations to Mamata Didi for Trinamool Congress’ win in West Bengal. The Centre will continue to extend all possible support to the West Bengal Government to fulfill people’s aspirations and also to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic,” tweeted the Prime Minister.