Dr Harsh Vardhan releases Document On India's Response To Covid-19 Pandemic

The Union Health Minister noted the need to publish this chronicle of the response to the pandemic. At the launch, he said, "The document "Chasing the Virus: A Public Health Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic" is a factual narrative of the health systems response across the nation to this unprecedented health emergency. Volume-1 of this document, captures the various facets of the response spanning pandemic related actions as well as enabling health systems to provide uninterrupted access to non-COVID essential health services.We all know that we have fought this battle with the contribution of every stakeholder. It will be difficult to document the efforts put in by all the people in fighting our battle against the pandemic."

Noting on how the success on the front of COVID19 can be replicated in our fight against Tuberculosis, the Union health minister said, "Another goal in front of us is to eliminate the Tuberculosisby 2025. Our efforts of testing, tracing and treating in COVID19 can be replicated for treatment of Tuberculosis. The experience from the pandemic can be used to achieve the goal of eliminating TB by 2025."

At the end of the event, Dr Harsh Vardhan extended his good wishes to all those who have been phenomenal and instrumental in the fight against the pandemic. He also expressed his hope that this document will go a long way in strengthening the healthcare system, helping stakeholders to refine their strategies of dealing with pandemics & equip the health systems for present & future health emergencies.

Shri Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, MoHFW, Dr Sunil Kumar, DGHS, Ms VandanaGurnani, AS,MoHFW, Ms ArtiAhuja, AS, MoHFW, Dr ManoharAgnani, AS MoHFW, ShriLavAgarwal, JS MoHFW, ShriVikasSheel JS MoHFW, and other senior dignitaries were also present at the event.

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