Centre releases additional funds ahead of Covid-19 third wave

Speculation is rife that the third wave of Covid-19 will hit India soon and ahead of this, the central government has released a new installment of an emergency response package to all states to help them boost their health infrastructure in the country.

This fund will be used to create paediatric units in districts and increase the number of oxygen-supported beds and ICU beds.

In a statement, the government said this installment has been released to “ensure implementation of critical activities at the state/district levels to prepare the public healthcare systems in response to the evolving pandemic”.

The government said, “Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is supporting the efforts of states/UTs towards management of Covid- 19 pandemic. In view of the second wave, its spread into rural, peri-urban and tribal areas and the evolving pandemic situation, the Union Cabinet has approved a new scheme ‘India Covid-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package.”

It added that to fast track implementation of ECRP-II, on July 22, the government released Rs 1,827.80 crores to states/UTs as 15 per cent advance to undertake preparatory activities.

The statement further added, “35 per cent funds are being released today to the states/UTs, thus, making a total of 50 per cent release of funds so as to ensure implementation of critical activities at the state/district levels to prepare the public healthcare systems in response to the evolving pandemic.”