In a COVID19 review meeting today, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked officials for augmentation of healthcare resources in rural areas to focus on door to door testing and surveillance. 

The Prime Minister has also directed officials to empower ASHA [Accredited Social Health Activists] and Anganwadi workers with all necessary tools to boost the fight in villages. Besides, guidelines are to be made available in easy language along with illustrations for home isolation and treatment in rural areas.

Recently, Gaon Connection reported how these frontline workers in rural areas across the country have been reporting to work every day without proper safety gears. Most of them have not received any masks, gloves, or sanitisers this year, when the second wave has crippled the entire country.

Also Read: ASHAs brave the second wave of COVID19. Without masks, sanitisers and rightful remuneration

Meanwhile, a distribution plan for ensuring oxygen supply in rural areas should be worked out, including through provision of Oxygen Concentrators, Modi directed officials. The Prime Minister also noted that necessary training should be provided to health workers in the operation of such equipment, and power supply should be ensured for smooth operation of such medical devices.

Also Read: On two legs and a prayer, without proper safety gear, ASHAs conduct door-to-door COVID screening in rural UP

Also Read: COVID-19 invades rural India; district hospitals struggle with faulty or no ventilators at all