Centre allocates ₹267.35 cr to Kerala to strengthen health infra: Mandaviya

Thiruvananthapuram: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday said that the Centre has allocated Rs 267.35 crore to Kerala under Emergency COVID Response Package II to strengthen state's health infrastructure & effectively manage Covid-19.

Additionally, he promised to supply around 1.10 crore vaccine doses to the state before the end of next month.

Mandaviya was having a closed door meeting with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and health Minister Veena George to review the coronavirus situation.

Vijayan raised the issue of vaccine shortage being faced by the state and wished to get over a crore of doses in phases before the end of September and to this, Mandaviya promised that they will do the needful.

Mandaviya also announced that the Centre will ensure creation of a Center of Excellence that caters to telemedicine facilities in every district in Kerala.

For prioritising the health of children, paediatric ICU, with 10 kilo-litre liquid oxygen facility, is to be established in district hospitals.

According to sources in the know of things, Mandaviya expressed happiness in the way Kerala has been managing vaccines without any wastage.

He also appreciated the way Kerala has been able to keep the death rate very low.

In his tweet Mandaviya said that he had an intensive meeting with Vijayan and State Health Minister Veena George and other state officials.

Union Health secretary Rajesh Bhushan pointed out that the need of the hour for Kerala is to maintain more caution as the festival season of Onam is round the corner. He also said that contact tracing in the state has to be effectively strengthened.

Mandaviya arrived in the state around noon and after the meeting with Vijayan, paid a visit to the state run Medical College hospital, here and is scheduled to return to Delhi later in the night.