Vaccination is panacea against COVID-19 pandemic: Advisor Baseer Khan

BUDGAM, JUNE 07: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Ahmad Khan today visited Magam, Budgam in order to have a detailed review of arrangements put in place amid the 2nd wave of Covid -19 pandemic.

The program was attended by DDC Chairman Nazir Ahmad Khan, Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Shahbaz Ahmed Mirza, SDM Beerwah, CMO, ACD, representatives of Trade, Transportation Union Magam, and religious heads.

Speaking on the occasion, Advisor Baseer Khan said the aim and objective of today’s visit is to have an interaction with all stakeholders who are critical in fighting a war against the COVID-19 pandemic. He said support and Cooperation from the public proved pivotal in achieving success and containing 1st wave of Covid-19 and same alertness and dedication need to be shown in dealing with 2nd wave of Covid-19. He said a proactive and aggressive approach has been initiated by the administration in tandem with the civil society and other social organizations including religious leaders which have brought down the incidence of positive cases substantially. He also emphasized on relentlessly pursuing the objective in order to give a final blow to this pandemic.

Commenting upon the availability of resources, the Advisor said there is no dearth of resources, whether it is oxygen, medical or any other resource. With the active intervention of the Prime Minister and Lieutenant Governor, the UT has received overnight 9 high-quality oxygen plants from Frankfurt Germany and now in addition to that 9 more plants have been received.

He said Covid care centers set up at Panchayat level across U.T of J&K is a bold and effective decision to enhance bedding capacities in rural areas which shall play a significant role in stopping the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.

The Advisor also said that COVID-19 in J&K has been systematically dealt with; infrastructure wherever necessary has been raised and resources have been mobilized in an unprecedented manner. The Advisor further said that the public needs to be made aware about the advantages of teleconsultations and telemedicine as the initiative is showing enormous results as a large section of  society, as well as patients, are getting benefited through this initiative.

The Advisor directed the District Administration to remain in the state of alert to meet any challenges amid Covid-19. The Advisor further emphasized upon aggressive testing and reiterated that the vaccination process is a panacea and permanent solution to curb the Covid-19 pandemic. He urged people to enthusiastically go for vaccination.

The Advisor urged upon the Religious heads, Civil society to use their influence and approach in spreading the message and make people aware about the importance of adhering to SOPs like wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, avoiding unnecessary venturing out and gatherings. The Advisor on the occasion hailed cooperation and support of the general public, particularly during the current wave as they seem to follow all instructions in letter and spirit.

While suggesting the measures taken to improve the electricity in the district Budgam, the Advisor divulged that Rs 21 Crore have been allotted to District Budgam under the Barbed wire Scheme to improve electricity supply in District.

The Advisor reiterated that the way people presently are following all instructions and are implementing guidelines strictly, in coming days, there will be an enormous change in ground situation, eventually defeating the pandemic successfully. The Advisor on the occasion appreciated and hailed the sincere efforts and resilience shown by all covid-19 warriors.  He said everybody is on the forefront while facing unprecedented challenges.

During the program DDC chairman Budgam Nazir Ahmad Khan raised the issue of non-functioning of some already existing PHCs, besides nonpayment of incentives to doctors and paramedics who are on internship presently engaged with Covid-19 care duties. The Advisor assured the DDC Chairman that matter shall be taken up with Lieutenant Governor at an earliest. The Advisor said despite lockdown measures, wage employment will continue as well as construction work, subject to all SOPs and guidelines  strictly adhered.

Earlier, DC Budgam Shahbaz Ahmed Mirza presented a detailed status of till date happenings amid Covid-19 pandemic, containment measures, procedures and other initiatives taken up by district administration in curbing the spread of this pandemic. He said Budgam has recorded 87% recovery rate as 1577 covid positive cases remain out of total 12785 till date. Positivity rate has gone below 5% and stands at 4.93% at present in District. Presently RAT and RTPCR is aggressively going on at all containment zones and other requisite locations. He said, 437 level 2 beds, in addition 299 beds equipped with oxygen facility have been kept ready to accommodate the requirement if needed.

Covid-19 control rooms have been set up in all 10 medical blocks, have received 4967 phone calls till date from public inquiring about Covid-19 related queries besides other medical issues. Regarding oxygen supply, the DC said that construction of  oxygen plant at Beerwah has started while as team from Directorate of Health services has inspected other sites at Char-i-Sharief. Efforts are on to set up oxygen plants at Magam & Chadoora as well, the DC said.

The DC said in containment zones about 70,000 tests have been done to boost the process further. Door to door surveillance is being carried out in order to trace the vulnerable old age and senior citizen patients. Regarding the supply of ration to needy ones, the DC said under NFSA & PMGKY ration has been distributed throughout the District.

The DC said with relentless efforts from all concerned Budgam district has achieved 78% vaccination for person with 45 or above age and remaining population above this age category shall be vaccinated at an earliest.