Keeping the growing demand and availability of oxygen in mind, Maharashtra's Health Minister, on Saturday, April 17, 2020, has demanded that the government should allow the transport of oxygen by rail, from other states.
Sharing more information regarding the matter, Tope also demanded that pharmaceutical companies in the state should be allowed to manufacture Remdesivir. On the other hand, the supply of vaccines should increase, as some states are working towards achieving a target of eight lakh vaccinations per day.
To understand the requirements thereby reviewing the status, Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan, on Saturday, April 17, interacted with the health ministers of all the states via a televised system. State Health Minister, Rajesh Tope, presented his ideas and discussed ways of managing issues like shortage of oxygen and Remdesivir, vaccination, and changing properties of the virus.
Following were the key points discussed at the meeting:
The Union Home Secretary has written to the Chief Secretaries of the states with an assurance ensure that vehicles carrying oxygen from other states to Maharashtra shall not be blocked keeping the shortage in mind.
As the duration of oxygen transport by road is increasing, the Central Government has been requested to direct the Railway Department to transport the same using the services.
Plants that absorb oxygen from the air will be distributed by the central government. This is said to help the patients in need. As per reports, 132 such plants will be provided across the country and considering the situation in Maharashtra, officials have demanded that the state should get maximum number plants.
The decision will be taken in consultation with the law and justice department to provide technical assistance and permission to local pharmaceutical companies in the state for Remdesivir production, keeping the current shortage in mind.
Maharashtra has demanded to get the maximum stock available in 15 companies, due to the export ban on Remdesivir.
A few COVID-19 samples have been sent from Maharashtra to check if the genetic structure of the virus has changed, and 500 out of 1100 samples have been examined so far. A detailed report will soon be presented by the government.
Moreover, the infection rate and capability of the virus seems to have increased, and understanding the same, detailed information is expected at the end of the research.
Efforts are being made to speed up vaccination in the state and Minister Tope has mentioned that the central government should provide maximum supply of vaccines to the state. Responding to the same, the Union Health Minister said that the vaccine will be supplied understanding the best possible availability