To fight Covid, J&K got Rs 143 Cr since March
AVINAV VERMA. Updated: 9/22/2020 11:08:04 AM
Front Page
Jammu: The centre has released an amount of Rs 143Crore for Jammu and Kashmir to prepare the health care system for the management of COVID-19, since the first ever case of deadly infection reported in the month of March.
Moreover, even after receiving financial aid from Government of India (GoI), the J&K administration is struggling hard to combat the spread of COVID-19.
“This amount was released under the COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Preparedness System Package,” an official told The News Now.
He further informed that the financial aid to States/UTs has been given based on the number of cases and trends of COVID-19 Pandemic.
“States /UTs were given flexibility to use the resources available under National Health Mission to prepare the public healthcare system for COVID-19 management,” he added.
He further informed that the funds were utilized to purchasing new machines, ventilators and upgraded health infrastructure as well as to build to temporary infrastructure to tackle the rush of COVID-19 patients.
“The health authorities have utilized funds to upgraded health infrastructure. Now, we have 297 COVID facilities, 23122 Isolation beds, 3213 oxygen supported beds, 436 ICU beds and 447 ventilators,” he informed.
Despite having good health infrastructure, the administration is facing problems to deal patients of deadly infection due sudden spurt in cases in J&K.
“Since, the J&K administration has started targeted Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) drive the COVID-19 case load suddenly increased. For the 18th consecutive day, the J&K is witnessing over 1000 positive cases,” he added.
The Jammu district is worst effected as it has majority of cases as compared to other districts of J&K. “The case load of Jammu district reached to 10177,” he added.
The sudden spike in cases is being witnessed in Jammu after August 26 when the administration launched Rapid Antigen Tests in targeted areas in government offices, banks, markets and other places. Jammu district is followed by Rajouri with 2086 positive cases; Udhampur 1797 cases, Kathua 1719, Doda, Samba 1391, Poonch 1356, Ramban 1077, Kishtwar 874 and Reasi 740 cases.