New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has decided to hold mock drills on December 27 at all health facilities across the country in response to the surge of COVID-19 infection in many other countries.
In the event of a surge in COVID cases in India, this is done to ensure readiness in terms of oxygen support and ICU beds, among other preparedness measures.
“It has therefore been decided to hold mock drill at all health facilities (including identified COVID-dedicated health facilities) across the country on Tuesday, 27th December 2022,” the Ministry said on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday said, “Tomorrow, a mock drill will be conducted throughout country at all COVID hospitals. All States Health Ministers will also take part in this at their level.”
The exercise will focus on factors like the number of health facilities in each district, the capacity of isolation beds, oxygen-supported beds, ICU beds, ventilator-supported beds, and the best number of doctors, nurses, paramedics, AYUSH doctors, and other frontline workers, such as ASHA and Anganwadi workers.
It will also concentrate on human resource capacity, such as the availability of Advanced and Basic Life Support (ALS/BLS) ambulances, testing equipment and reagents, and essential drugs, as well as healthcare professionals trained in ventilatory management protocols for severe cases.
