Excelsior Correspondent
ANANTNAG, May 20: The Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, Dr. Piyush Singla today said that the creation of Covid Isolation/Care Centres at the Panchayat level is vital for containment of virus in the rural areas. He said this while chairing a meeting of officers of Rural Development, Health and other concerned departments Dak Bangalow Khanabal.
The DC impressed upon the officers to create a 5-bedded Covid Care Centre with one oxygen supported bed and other basic minimum facilities in every Panchayat for isolation of Covid positive patients.
The DC directed the officers to establish the centres by utilising up to Rs one lakh from the funds available with the Panchayats under District Capex Budget in the Panchayat Ghar, schools and other government buildings in consultation with nearest Health Centre and the concerned Panchayat.
Stressing on effective community triaging, Dr. Singla called for proper linkage of these centres with the nearest health care facilities besides equipping them with necessary medical kit for smooth monitoring, treatment and referral of covid patients.
The DC said the isolation centres will strengthen the healthcare infrastructure in rural areas and would also be linked with the tele-medicine facilities.
Reiterating the importance of Health Clubs and PRIs for Covid mitigation, the DC enjoined upon the officers to sensitize them about the situation and Covid containment measures so their services can be utilised for isolation of covid persons in active coordination with ASHAs and healthcare workers.
Dr. Singla also passed directions for aggressive testing and sampling especially in containment zones besides utilising mobile testing vans for testing in rural areas with the help of PRIs and volunteers.
The DC exhorted for ensuring smooth referral linkage with dedicated Covid Health Centres and dedicated Covid Hospitals and using on call ambulance services in village areas in this regard.
Later, the DC briefly reviewed the functioning of Pukaar Helpline and District Covid Control Room which are operating together at Dak Bangalow Khanabal. He directed the officials for prompt monitoring and action on all Covid/Non Covid grievances which are being received.