State to upgrade infra at CHCS to curb Covid spread in rural areas

JAIPUR The Rajasthan government is focusing on strengthening infrastructure at community health centres (CHCS) at the block level to tackle Covid-19, which is spreading to rural areas in the second wave, officials associated with Covid management in the state said.

A senior official of the health department said the government focused on strengthening health infrastructure in urban areas during the first wave last year, as the cases reported from the rural areas were not much.

“But this time the situation is different and the coronavirus is spreading in rural areas during the second wave. As experts say the third wave is also expected, so the government is working on the model of ramping up infrastructure at the community health centres to tackle the second wave and minimise infections in the expected third wave of Covid-19,” the official, wishing not to be named, said.

According to a health department survey, over 750,000 people were found infected in rural areas. The case doubling time is reduced to 26%.

He said the state wasn’t ready for the second wave, as no one expected it to be so dangerous; the state is not only facing a shortage of beds but also of oxygen. “The government has now started developing health management at the primary level. At the block level, a Covid consultation/care centre will be set up, where an adequate number of doctors and paramedical staff will be deployed. A separate OPD and IPD will be started for

Covid-19 patients, will run from 8am to 8pm,” the official said.

“The Covid consultation/care centre will provide initial treatment to patients at the village level, and if found serious, they can be referred to district hospitals. The second round of doorto-door survey aims at detecting

suspected patients at the village level. Health workers will be sent to CHCS through ambulances if people show symptoms.”

The official said people are found to be not approaching hospitals out of fear, but they can go to nearby CHCS. The state has ordered oxygen concentrators in bulk, and once received, they will be soon distributed among CHCS.

If people found positive have no place for home isolation, they will be accommodated at Covid care centres, he said.

“Oxygen plants will be set up at CHCS with over 50 beds. Government hospitals now have the capacity to generate oxygen for 3000 cylinders. The state is making efforts to increase it to 26,000 cylinders,” he said.

“Daycare centres will be set up at the Covid care centres if senior medicine doctors are available. Remdesivir injections could also be given there if required,” the official said.