Mock drill in Chandigarh to assess preparedness for COVID threat

The Voice of Chandigarh News:

As per the directions of the Government of India, a Mock Drill was conducted in all the major hospitals in UT Chandigarh. Secretary Health, Director Health Services, Director Principal of GMCH-32, Medical Superintends and other senior Doctors inspected ICUs, Emergency Area, Medical Gas Pipeline Systems and PSA Plants at GMCH-32 and GMSH -16, Chandigarh. The infrastructure like ICU beds, Oxygen beds, Oxygen Cylinders, Oxygen Concentrators, Medicines, Ambulances were found to be in sufficient number.

Status of COVID Preparation in UT Chandigarh

1. Oxygen PSA Plant-

• PGIMER: Two Plants of 1000 LPM each
• GMCH-32: One Plant of 1000 LPM and another one of 800LPM
• GMSH-16: One Plant of 500 LPM and another one of 800LPM
• Sector-48 Hospital : One Plant 100 LPM
• Private Hospital: Eden Hospital-50LPM, Healing Hospital-218 LPM

All the above plants have been checked and are functional.

2. Sufficient Liquid Oxygen is available in all the major hospitals and as a back-up Oxygen Cylinders are also available in sufficient quantity.
3. Buffer stock of all the required emergency medicines is available with the Health Department
4. COVID Vaccination:
   • 18 Years and above: 1st Dose – 129 %, Second dose- 109% and Booster Dose- about 13%
   • 15 to 18 years: 1st Dose- 104 %, Second Dose- 75%
   • 14 to 15 years: 1st Dose- 80%, Second Dose-63%
5. All the Ventilators are in working condition and Engineers are again checking each and every Ventilator
6. No shortage of Qualified Manpower and in case of need additional qualified manpower will be hired. Preference will be given to those who have worked in earlier waves.
7. No issue of availability of beds. One isolation ward has been created in both GMCH-32 and GMSH-16 with few beds. In case of need other beds will be converted to CVOID beds. Presently only minimum beds are kept reserved for COVID patients so that normal patient care is not affected.

Dharampal, IAS, Adviser to Administrator stated that the situation is being closely monitored on daily basis and appropriate measures will be taken depending upon the status of COVID cases in the City. He appealed to all the residents of UT Chandigarh to get them vaccinated against COVID, if any of their doses are pending.

All the arrangements have been found to be satisfactory during Mock Drill.