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The Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare has submitted its report on the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and its management. Here is a thread on some of its observations:
(1/12)
(1/12)
ON TESTING
It noted that poor contact tracing and less testing could have been a factor in the growth of COVID-19 cases and that the large scale use of rapid antigen tests (which are less reliable than the RT-PCR tests) may adversely impact the containment strategy.
(2/12)
It noted that poor contact tracing and less testing could have been a factor in the growth of COVID-19 cases and that the large scale use of rapid antigen tests (which are less reliable than the RT-PCR tests) may adversely impact the containment strategy.
(2/12)
The Committee recommended that the number of testing facilities should be increased and accurate tests, such as the RT-PCR test, should be utilised.
(3/12)
(3/12)
ON VACCINE
The Committee has recommended that:
- the whole population should be vaccinated,
- the cost of the vaccine should be subsidised for weaker sections of society, and
- the cold-storage system across the country should be upgraded.
(4/12)
The Committee has recommended that:
- the whole population should be vaccinated,
- the cost of the vaccine should be subsidised for weaker sections of society, and
- the cold-storage system across the country should be upgraded.
(4/12)
The Committee also recommended that vaccines should be administered as per the World Health Organisation’s strategic allocation approach or a multi-tiered risk-based approach.
(5/12)
(5/12)
ON HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE
The Committee noted that the total number of govt hospital beds were inadequate, and beds provided by the Ministry of Railways were underutilised. It found that for 12,472 beds in 813 converted railway coaches, 454 patients were admitted.
(6/12)
The Committee noted that the total number of govt hospital beds were inadequate, and beds provided by the Ministry of Railways were underutilised. It found that for 12,472 beds in 813 converted railway coaches, 454 patients were admitted.
(6/12)
ON PRIVATE HEALTH SECTOR
The Committee noted that the cost and price set for COVID-19 treatment by the govt were causing small private hospitals to shut down. It suggested that the govt institute fair costing and pricing for COVID-19 treatment in private hospitals.
(7/12)
The Committee noted that the cost and price set for COVID-19 treatment by the govt were causing small private hospitals to shut down. It suggested that the govt institute fair costing and pricing for COVID-19 treatment in private hospitals.
(7/12)
ON HEALTH WORKERS
The Committee observed that vacancies in state-run hospitals are causing a shortage of healthcare workers. It suggested that health workers from districts with a lower case burden may be redirected to districts with a higher burden of COVID-19 cases.
(8/12)
The Committee observed that vacancies in state-run hospitals are causing a shortage of healthcare workers. It suggested that health workers from districts with a lower case burden may be redirected to districts with a higher burden of COVID-19 cases.
(8/12)
It also recommended that health workers have defined work hours and leaves. It further suggested:
- paid sick leave, and timely payment of salaries for health workers, and
- creation of the Indian Health Service as a public health cadre similar to the IAS.
(9/12)
- paid sick leave, and timely payment of salaries for health workers, and
- creation of the Indian Health Service as a public health cadre similar to the IAS.
(9/12)
ON AYUSH
The Committee recommended that AYUSH systems should be utilised to combat the pandemic. The Committee suggested that AYUSH doctors may provide assistance in areas with a shortage of allopathic doctors or COVID-19 hospitals and centres.
(10/12)
The Committee recommended that AYUSH systems should be utilised to combat the pandemic. The Committee suggested that AYUSH doctors may provide assistance in areas with a shortage of allopathic doctors or COVID-19 hospitals and centres.
(10/12)
ON HEALTH SECTOR FINANCING
The Committee recommended that healthcare spending should be increased to 2.5% of the GDP (as compared to 1.6% of GDP in 2019-20). This should be done within two years and with special emphasis on primary healthcare.
(11/12)
The Committee recommended that healthcare spending should be increased to 2.5% of the GDP (as compared to 1.6% of GDP in 2019-20). This should be done within two years and with special emphasis on primary healthcare.
(11/12)
Read the full summary of the report here: https://www.prsindia.org/sites/default/files/parliament_or_policy_pdfs/Report%20summary%20COVID.pdf
(12/12)
(12/12)
