Chandigarh, May 3 - Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal said that the quantity of oxygen distribution in the state has been increased and at present, oxygen is being supplied to all districts as per the requirement.

The Chief Minister gave this information while presiding over the meeting with the administrative officers in Palwal districts regarding the arrangements made by the them tackle the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic held today.

The Chief Minister said that teams of officers formed in all the districts to ensure uninterrupted supply of oxygen in all the hospitals. Now the State Government is trying that after ensuring supply of oxygen in the hospitals, the facility of providing oxygen individually should also be made available to the patients as per the consultation of the doctor.

During his visit, the Chief Minister first held a meeting with officers of the District Administration regarding COVID-19 at PWD Rest House and then he visited the Civil Hospital, Palwal to inspect all the health arrangements made there.

Expressing satisfaction over the arrangements made in Palwal, the Chief Minister said that in view of the increasing number of patients of COVID-19, all the health related services are going to be expanded further in Haryana. The number of oxygen beds and general beds is also being increased for the patients.

The Chief Minister directed that a health survey of every person should be conducted in rural areas. If in this survey it is found that a person is having COVID-19 symptoms, then the person should be advised to stay in home isolation immediately, to prevent the possibility of infection spread.

He said that the number of oxygen beds in the civil hospital Palwal should be increased. However, the Civil Surgeon apprised the Chief Minister that the number of oxygen beds in the hospital will soon be increased to 170.

The Chief Minister said that in view of the present circumstances, the District Administration should also keep an eye on the supply of essential commodities and medicines in the district. Strict legal action should be taken against a person or shopkeeper who is found doing back marketing of the essential goods or is selling commodities at a rate higher than the prescribed rates. He said that action should also be initiated against those who are hoarding the goods unnecessarily.

He said that every possible effort should be made to control inflation in the district. Awareness programmes should also be organized in the district so that people ensure compliance with the necessary guidelines issued during lockdown. Apart from this, Sh. Manohar Lal further directed the officers concerned to continuously conduct the audit regarding availability of bed and oxygen in the district.

The Chief Minister said that after ensuring uninterrupted the supply of oxygen, the number of ventilators is now being increased and if the ventilator is not being used in some places, then such ventilators will be sent to the places where they are needed, so that more and more patients who require the ventilators can get the facility.

Earlier, Deputy Commissioner, Sh. Naresh Narwal apprised the Chief Minister about the preparations being done by the District Administration for the containment of virus spread and health arrangements made for the COVID-19 patients.

He informed that oxygen is being supplied smoothly in the district. Work is being done for increasing the number of beds for COVID-19 patients to 700 in the district. The number of oxygen beds is also being increased as per the requirement.

At present, a total of 431 beds and 170 oxygen beds are available for COVID-19 patients in the district. As many as 3110 isolation beds have been made available in various 28 government and private institutions in the district, in which other health services will also be provided by the Health Department to the patients admitted there, he informed

He informed that a survey is being conducted by Patwari and Gram Sachivs in the district so as to collect the data of sick people in all villages. Similarly, whenever a patient is tested positive, then the surrounding area is immediately converted into a micro containment zone.

Jagrukta Rath are being sent out to generate awareness.  Telemedicine service has been started in General Hospital, Palwal, so that patients are being given necessary counselling by doctors over the phone.  A kitchen is being run by Bharat Vikas Parishad to prepare food for the patients.

On this occasion, Minister of State for Archaeology and Museums and Labour & Employment, Sh. Anoop Dhanak, MLA Palwal, Sh. Deepak Mangla, MLA Hathin, Sh. Praveen Dagar and many other senior officers of the District Administration were present.