Government Refurbishes Facilities At Omandurar Medical College

This comes as a welcome decision, especially at the threshold of the much-dreaded third wave of the COVID pandemic.

Among the new facilities is an oxygen generator that can produce 500 litres a minute, a 24x7 COVID-19 preventive vaccination centre and a 15-bed paediatric intensive care unit.

According to Health Minister Subramanian, the oxygen generator was established with support from the Corporate Social Responsibility fund of the Infosys at a cost of ₹1 crore. He also revealed that in 55 healthcare institutions, such as government and medical college hospitals, besides eye and peripheral hospitals, round-the-clock vaccination centres had been opened.

In addition to this, he also let it known that the paediatric ICU, equipped with ventilator, had been established with ₹30 lakh from Rotary International and ₹1.20 crore from the health department's funds.

In addition to improving hospital infrastructure, efforts are being made to procure vaccines. "We are in talks with Apollo Hospitals to administer 5 lakh doses of Covaxin in its possession. We are coordinating with the hospital to provide Covaxin free of cost to those waiting for their second dose. We hope to complete the coordination process in a couple of days after which we will start administering the vaccine," Minister Subramanian stated, quotes The Hindu

Along with an active vaccination drive, efforts are also being made to improve awareness among the general public with regard to COVID appropriate behaviour. People have been urged by Minister Subramanian to be weary of any laxity with respect to COVID norms, especially since the government restrictions have been relaxed.

"People should continue to wear mask and observe COVID-19 protocols," he said.