Around 54,000 people across the country are being kept under community surveillance through health workers to contain the spread of COVID-19, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan told the Rajya Sabha.
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He appreciated the work done by medical staff. “As one metre social distancing is required to be taken while dealing with those affected with the virus, I laud doctors and paramedics who are working honestly and with dedication while taking risks in treating the patients..”
He was replying to a supplementary question raised by BJP MP Ashok Vajpayee. He said the ICMR scientists are in touch with scientists all over the world on the use of retroviral drugs and in the research under way in finding treatment for the virus.
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“We have also heard about some research being done in the United States,” he said, adding new vaccines can be introduced only after following a procedure. “We are using all kinds of retroviral drugs for treating patients...We are thoroughly seized of the issue. We are trying to do our best for patients and treating them.”
Congress MP Anand Sharma, while appreciating the medical community, raised questions on the quarantine facilities, especially the unhygienic condition of toilets. He asked the Health Minister to set up a committee to look into the issue.
Mr. Vardhan urged the MPs to visit the facilities in their respective areas and suggest ways to help improve them and take care of deficiencies. He said these reports are but few.
“I can agree with you that the facilities may not be good. It is quite possible that at some places bathrooms may not be 5-star type. We are conveying in strongest possible manner on such complaints. These are rare complaints and are not frequent complaints received,” he said.
