Chandigarh, May 2- Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal said that providing treatment first  to the critical COVID-19 patients and  saving their lives is the utmost priority of the  State Government.

The government has especially managed the distribution of oxygen so that oxygen can be rationally supplied to all hospitals as per the prescribed quota.  Not only this, but the government has also created a special fund of Rs.  500 crore rupees to provide financial assistance for setting up medical instruments and oxygen plants etc for the treatment of COVID-19 patients, shared the Chief Minister.

"This fund will also provide interest loans for a period of one year to   any industry manufacturing equipments required for the treatment of COVID-19 patients,” said Sh. Manohar Lal.

The Chief Minister said this while presiding over a meeting with  the officials regarding COVID-19 arrangements in Kurukshetra held today.

He said that the oxygen quota in Kurukshetra district has been increased from 4 MT to 6 MT and this quota can further be increased if required.

Earlier, Chief Minister also took feedback from  the Principal Secretary, Forests and Wildlife Department, Smt.  G. Anupama and Deputy Commissioner, Smt. Sharandeep Kaur Brar regarding the facilities being provided to the COVID-19 patients admitted at Adesh Medical college, Arogya Hospital, BS Heart Care, LNJP and 13 other hospitals registered on the portal. With this, the Chief Minister was also apprised about the availability of beds and other health facilities being provided to the patients admitted in these hospitals.

The Chief Minister said that the State Government is putting a tough fight against this Pandemic and  for this purpose, he is himself visiting every district, reviewing the COVID-19  arrangements is being done and detailed discussions with every  member of the teams constituted at the district level is being done  and wherever  there are shortages  that are also being fixed.

The Chief Minister said that there is a sufficient amount of oxygen in the state and the infrastructure is being strengthened to overcome the difficulty of oxygen supply.  Today, the government has ordered six tankers of oxygen gas from other states.   It would be ensured that there is no oxygen shortage in Haryana.

After the meeting, the Chief Minister while interacting with the media said that the government is taking action against such officials against whom complaints are being received regarding the COVID-19 arrangements. In today’s tough times, all the officers should work as a team with utmost dedication and honesty. 

Responding to another question, the Chief Minister said that now the work of administring COVID-19 vaccination to the people in the age group of 18 to 44 have also started, therefore journalists should also get their registration done on the portal and their vaccination would be done on a priority basis, he added.

The Chief Minister, while replying to another question  said that patients should get themselves treated at  nearest hospitals and those patients who have oxygen levels are above 92 should isolate themselves at their homes only.

The Chief Minister said that in this hour of crisis, serving humanity should be the aim of everyone instead of earning money.  Strict action will be taken against those who are involved in the black marketing of medicines, cylinders and other food products just to earn money even in these difficult times, said Sh. Manohar Lal. 

He directed the officers concerned to hold talks with the IMA regarding fixing of the prices of health services like beds, ventilators, oxygen etc. in private hospitals so that patients can get benefits in private hospitals at fixed rates.

“Strict action should be taken against those private hospitals that are found charging the patients above the fixed rate for the said health facilities just to earn profits", directed the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister further directed the officers concerned to fix minimum rates for private ambulance services and said that rates should also be fixed per kilometer of private ambulance so that the ambulance service can be available to the patients on the prescribed rates. 

"Private hospitals, which have adequate facilities for the treatment of COVID-19 patients and meet the prescribed norms should also be allowed to treat patients by getting them registered on the portal of the administration," directed the Chief Minister.

He said directions have also been given that the teams  constituted at the district level should regularly visit the hospitals and conduct the audit of oxygen, beds and other health services and further ensure to send a report regarding the same to the government.

The Chief Minister directed the officers concerned that the admission of the patients in the hospitals should be done on the basis of the prescribed number of beds in the hospitals that are registered on the COVID- panel, if any hospital has  more arrangement than the bed capacity they have  registered on the portal,  then the hospital can get their bed capacity increased by updating on the said portal.

Earlier, Chief Minister also visited the house of Late Sh. Rohit Sardana in sector-5 in Kurukshetra and expressed his deep condolences on the sad and untimely death of senior journalist Late. Sh. Rohit Sardana and consoled the heartbroken family.