Tag: Harsh Vardhan

  • Anti COVID vaccination propaganda harming poor the most: Harsh Vardhan

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan on Monday said that rumours and fake information against coronavirus vaccines is harming people belonging to the economically weaker section of society the most.

    Speaking to the media, the Minister said, “People should be protected from those who are spreading rumours and fake information against coronavirus vaccines, it harms the poor people the most.”

    Speaking about the centralised vaccination policy, which begins today, he said that everyone should try to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

    “From today all over India, with the blessings of PM Modi and the efforts of the government of India, free vaccines will be provided to every citizen of India above the age of 18 at every government health center. Everyone should try to get vaccinated as soon as possible,” he said.

    On the occasion of the seventh International Day of Yoga, the Minister said that Yoga has helped people maintain physical and mental health.

    After performing Yoga at Maharaja Agrasen Park here, he said, “Relevance of Yoga has increased during COVID-19. Yoga has helped us to maintain our physical and mental health. We should make Yoga or other physical activities a part of our daily life. These will help us to increase our immunity against coronavirus.”

    “I assure you, include yoga in your daily routine, it will increase your body’s urgency and inner strength, it will also give you more strength in the fight against Covid,” he added.

    “In the battle of the second wave of covid, we are slowly moving towards success, we do not have to be careless at all, if we would be careless and relax again, then there can be many more cases of Covid again,” the Minister warned.

    This year, the theme of the occasion is ‘Yoga For Wellness’, and will focus on practicing Yoga for physical and mental well-being. Since 2014, the occasion has been observed in mass gatherings in different parts of the country. 

  • Coronavirus mutated and citizens let down guard, leading to second wave: Health Minister Harsh Vardhan

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: While the coronavirus mutated and evolved, citizens let their guard down and all this led to a spike in cases, snowballing into the second wave, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Friday.

    Vardhan made these remarks after distributing masks among frontline workers at the Union Health Ministry.

    He stated that although this gesture was symbolic, people from various industries and corporate houses, and political leaders holding office could start a virtuous chain by emulating the exercise, eventually amplifying the Jan Andolan to protect everyone from COVID-19 through Covid appropriate behaviour, a Health Ministry statement said.

    The aim of the exercise in the Health Ministry is to distribute masks to all employees, starting with the frontline workers and eventually moving to other staff.

    “The government worked round the clock to stop COVID-19 last year. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, we were immensely successful in decreasing the active caseload to a minimum.

    “However, with the arrival of vaccines early this year and things returning to normal, people gradually invited laxity in their adherence to the simple code of Covid appropriate behaviour. While the virus mutated and evolved, we let our guard down. All this compounded in the spike in cases, snowballing into the second wave,” Vardhan was quoted as saying in the statement.

    Explaining the importance of the event, he said, “With many corners of India gradually moving towards unlock from the second wave, we cannot afford laxity and any further increase in cases again.”

    He drove home the point that masks are the simplest, most potent and the most powerful weapon against all variants of the coronavirus.

    Appealing to everyone who is an employer in some capacity, including corporate and industry leaders, social organisations, his colleagues in other ministries and other political leaders in office, he said, “We must all ensure that all our employees are safe from Covid.”

    “We should ensure that all of them have adequate masks, that masks are properly worn and inform them, if felt necessary, about the importance of Covid appropriate behaviour. We should encourage them to get vaccinated as well,” he said.

    The minister highlighted that Government of India had already started the largest vaccination drive in the world and is now completely geared up to universalise the drive throwing it open free-of-cost to every adult citizen above 18 years of age in the country, the statement said.

    He also appealed to every Indian who is yet to be vaccinated to get themselves vaccinated and join the Jan Andolan against COVID-19, the statement added.

  • Covaxin recipient students being considered as unvaccinated by foreign varsities: ABVP tells Vardhan

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has submitted a memorandum to Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan drawing his attention to the fact that those students who have been inoculated with Covaxin are being treated as ‘unvaccinated’ by foreign universities.

    They also drew his attention towards those students below the age of 18 years who have got admission in foreign varsities but do not fall within the vaccination bracket.

    Many countries, including the US and European countries, are treating Indian students vaccinated with Covaxin as ‘unvaccinated’, the memorandum said.

    “Such treatment is a source of grave inconvenience and academic loss to the Indian students,” it said. Apart from this, many higher secondary students apply for admissions to foreign universities.

    Students aged below 18 who have passed SAT for admissions to American or British Universities have not yet been covered under the vaccination policy, which makes them prone to academic loss, it added.

    ABVP National Secretary Sushri Nidhi Tripathi said, “Looking at the uncertainty and the gravity of the situation, the ABVP has requested the Union minister of Health and Family Welfare to look into and resolve the issues faced by the students who wish to study abroad.”

    “We have also requested the minister to issue a statement with regards to the same at the earliest, so that the concerns of students and their parents are addressed. We have also requested the government to try and end the impasse with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international organisations,” he said.

  • Decrease in no.of active Covid cases should not lead to complacency: Vardhan

    Vardhan said this after inaugurating the newly-revamped Hardayal Municipal Heritage Public Library at Chandni Chowk here, according to a statement issued by the health ministry.

  • Harsh Vardhan addresses first meeting of WHO high-level coalition on health, energy

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The COVID-19 pandemic has reiterated a massive interdependence among various sectors while underlining the need to ensure inter-connectedness across the sectors is reflected in policies for effective and sustainable service delivery, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has said.

    Vardhan made the remarks while addressing the first meeting of the World Health Organization High-Level Coalition on Health and Energy Platform of Action on Wednesday night through video-conference, a Health Ministry statement said.

    The meeting was attended by several dignitaries and national heads, and representatives of various stakeholders like World Bank, UNDP, UNHRC, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) etc.

    “The pandemic, as well as the enormous efforts to manage it, have reiterated the massive interdependence amongst various sectors. It has also underlined the need to ensure that inter-connectedness across sectors needs to be reflected in our policies to ensure an effective and sustainable service delivery,” he said in his address, according to the statement.

    “An expert body called the National Action Plan on Climate Change and Human Health was constituted by our government with the multiple objectives of creating awareness amongst the general population, health-care providers and policy makers regarding impact of climate change on human health,” Vardhan said.

    This National Expert Group submitted its report recently in April 2021 with inclusion of Subject Specific Health Action Plans on identified Climate Sensitive Diseases and ‘One Health’, he added.

    In the context of ‘and Climate Resilient Healthcare Facilities’, India became a signatory to the Malé Declaration in 2017 and agreed to promote climate-resilient healthcare facilities to be able to withstand any climatic event.

    “India is today in a unique position to pioneer a new model of economic development of low carbon emission and inclusive development where the attainment of universal health coverage is also one the major determinant factors.

    “We believe that it is the need of the hour to exhibit firm political and financial commitment to mobilise resources for strengthening the capacity of the health and energy sectors. As nations prepare for the COVID-19 aftermath, there is a tremendous opportunity for a global reset. Ambitious green stimulus plans will help countries restore their economies while deepening their energy transition. I am confident that the collaboration and collective action of this coalition group will help to achieve a greener and healthier planet,” Vardhan said.

  • Food-borne diseases costing India almost USD 15 billion annually: Vardhan

    The day is celebrated worldwide to draw attention to the fact that food is not only an agricultural or trade commodity, but is also a public health issue.

  • Probe reports of ‘vaccine wastage’ on priority: Harsh Vardhan to Rajasthan health minister

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Monday urged the Rajasthan health minister to probe reports of alleged wastage of Covid vaccine in the state on priority.

    India’s COVID-19 vaccination drive is being conducted across the country since January 16.

    The government of India is working closely with all the states and union territories to make this drive a success and help counter the pandemic effectively, the health ministry said.

    In a letter to Raghu Sharma, the Union health minister said a media report has highlighted that more than 500 vials of COVID-19 vaccines were found dumped in the waste bins of 35 Covid vaccination centres in the state which is “not acceptable” and must be investigated.

    In almost all districts, vaccine wastage is more than the national average which is less than 1 per cent, Vardhan said as he drew Sharma’s attention to some media reports about alleged high vaccine wastage in a few districts of the state.

    “Therefore, I would urge you to look into the issue of vaccine wastage on priority especially in the high wastage districts in the state,” the minister said, adding that the media report “regarding 500 vials found in waste bins which you would also agree is not acceptable” should also be investigated.

    “I would request you to advise all concerned state/districts officials to ensure sufficient planning to optimise vaccine utilisation and reduce avoidable wastage,” Vardhan said.

    “I am confident that under your guidance, the state shall take all necessary actions to monitor the vaccine usage, including the wastage and ensure smooth implementation of COVID-19 vaccination drive,” he added.

  • ‘Time for Modi government to act instead of giving speeches, advice’: Congress attacks PM, Harsh Vardhan

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Congress on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been missing in action all through the COVID-19 pandemic and it is time for him to act instead of giving speeches and advice.

    The party said India needs compassion and healing instead of “tears of guilt” and a strong resolve to defeat COVID-19 through good governance.

    Earlier in the day, Modi had turned emotional while paying condolences to those who lost their lives due to coronavirus during a virtual interaction with doctors, paramedical staff and frontline health workers in his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi.

    Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took a swipe at the prime minister saying he should provide people vaccines instead of procrastinating.

    “Mr Modi, Vaccinate! Don’t Procrastinate,” he said on Twitter and shared a media report claiming that 70 per cent of districts have received less than 20 doses per 100 population.

    Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, “India doesn’t need ‘tears of guilt’, India needs compassion and healing, India needs resolve to defeat Covid, India needs governance and delivery.”

    Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal said instead of giving speeches and advice, it is time the prime minister acted as he has been missing during the pandemic.

    “I think, instead of speeches, instead of advice, the prime minister has to act at least now… action from the central government, action from the prime minister has been totally missing during this entire pandemic period,” he told reporters at a virtual press conference.

    “Now, the country is asking again and again what action you have taken. Instead of speeches, instead of advice, we need actions from the central government,” he added.

    Venugopal said Rahul Gandhi had cautioned the prime minister about the COVID-19 “tsunami” last year, but everybody took it very lightly and instead mocked the Congress leader.

    Recalling Modi’s remark in March last year that the Mahabharata war was won in 18 days but the war against coronavirus will take 21 days — referring to the 21 day nation-wide lockdown announced by him back then — Venugopal said the prime minister is now realising that it is a long battle.

    But, for fighting this long war, how much precaution has been taken by the central government, the country is now asking, he said.

    Venugopal asked how the central government was compensating the poor people who have lost their livelihoods as most states are under a lockdown.

    “What is the government going to do? There is no answer,” Venugopal said.

    He also sought to know the government’s plan to tackle the shortage of oxygen and medicines even as the threat posed by increasing cases of ‘black fungus’ is looming large.

    Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera wondered if the prime minister shedding tears will console those who have lost their dear ones to COVID.

    “Will their pain be reduced? Someone who has lost a mother, father, brother, husband, wife, children, will their pain be compensated,” he said.

    “This country is far greater than the prime minister. What is more important than the prime minister’s tears are the tears of every Indian that could have been stopped and lives saved had the mistakes not been done in the last one year,” he said.

    Attacking the prime minister for centralising everything, he said, “You have all authority centralised and when you fail, you try and decentralize responsibility; it does not work this way.”

    Meanwhile, Venugopal demanded that the government should procure vaccines soon and inoculate all Indians to save them from the virus.

    Earlier, he spelt out a host of measures undertaken to help those affected from COVID on Rajiv Gandhi’s 30th death anniversary on Friday.

    He said Rajiv Gandhi’s compassion and resolve to boldly take the road less travelled and implement out of the box initiatives was legendry and with his unfathomable dedication to change India, Congress workers across the country rededicate themselves to the life of their leader, who not only dared to dream but implemented life altering transformation and change.

    He said millions of Congress workers and leaders undertook a special ‘SEVA’ drive today in the service of the people and dedicated themselves to the service of people in times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “As a deliberately negligent and callous leadership in the central government was caught napping during the second coronavirus wave, which hit the country in January-February 2021, Indian National Congress and its frontal organisations, especially the Indian Youth Congress, have done stellar work in the service of fellow countrymen, with dedication and humility,” he said.

    “Providing free ambulance and hearse vehicles, oxygen and oxygen concentrators, medicines, and home isolation kits, from arranging plasma donors to tele-consultations, from providing dry ration to food packets and even assisting in cremation and burial of the loved ones; Indian National Congress and its workers have shown the fortitude and resilience in the most painful times,” he claimed.

    “The Congress will continue to be at the service of every single Indian across the country to hold their hand, to be of service and to try and ease the troubles. These initiatives will be ongoing for as long the pandemic continues,” he said.

    The daily Covid-19 death figure remains above 4,000 despite a declining case positivity, indicating a lack of medical care, Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said Friday, inviting a prompt reply from Health Minister Harsh Vardhan who accused him of raising “unnecessary doubts” out of political compulsions.

    Vardhan also said that each death was unfortunate and the government was making every effort to fight the pandemic.

    He said as cases were declining, recoveries have started rising and mortalities would decline soon too.

    “The number tested is also around 20 lakh per day. If the positivity rate is coming down, why is the number of deaths above 4000 per day? Is it because of lack of proper medical care because of shortage of oxygen, medicines, ventilators, hospital beds etc,” Chidambaram asked on Twitter.

    “The Medical experts who are giving numerous interviews should answer the following questions: When the number of daily fresh infections has come down from 4 lakh+ to 2.5 lakh+, why is the number of deaths still above 4000 per day,” the Congress leader also asked.

    Vardhan replied to him on Twitter, saying, “Such a travesty! Political compulsions forcing Sh P Chidambaram Ji to raise such questions.”

    “By order of toolkit party I am sure. Certainly he’s privy to general knowledge that time duration between contracting COVID19 and recovery/mortality mostly exceeds a few weeks,” he said.

    “Why raise unnecessary doubts? As cases have been declining, recoveries have started reflecting an upward trajectory, and the mortalities shall show a decline too,” he said.

    “Each death is most unfortunate, GoI is moving heaven and earth to fight this pandemic,” Vardhan said.

    India has seen over 4,000 deaths for the past few days even as the number of fresh Covid cases has come down to 2,59,551 from over 4 lakh a few days ago.

    India will be in a position to vaccinate at least all of its adult population by the end of 2021, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Friday.

    At a meeting to review the pandemic situation in nine states and union territories, the minister said, “Between August and December 2021, India will have procured 216 crore vaccine doses, while by July this year, 51 crore doses will be procured.”

    Vardhan touched upon the speculation that the virus might mutate in future and endanger children, and said that the health facilities are being upgraded to deal with any such exigency, according to a health ministry statement.

    Vardhan also cautioned against the emerging trend in the country.

    He highlighted that now the smaller states are showing an upward trend and there is a dire need to be extremely cautious, the statement said.

    He asked the states to follow the basic principles of COVID-19-appropriate behaviour along with testing, tracking, tracing, treating and now vaccinating to fight against the pandemic.

    He emphasised the need to step up vaccination and reiterated the need to dedicate 70 per cent of vaccines provided by the central government for the second dose.

    He also requested the states and UTs to be vigilant against wastage of jabs, the statement said.

    The minister who reviewed public health response to COVID-19 and progress of vaccination in Chhattisgarh, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Ladakh, and Lakshadweep informed that all the states and UTs have been asked to notify black fungus (Mucormycosis) as an epidemic and ensure that all cases are duly reported.

    He assured that all the necessary information and guidelines regarding diabetes control and restricted use of steroids have been provided to states, the statement stated.

    He highlighted that daily recoveries have outnumbered the daily new COVID cases for the last 8 days consistently, the statement.

    Underscoring the critical importance of vaccination drive, the minister highlighted that India has administered a total of 19,18,89,503 vaccine doses to its citizens.

    He stated that the government is in the process of supporting the manufacturer of vaccines for ramping up vaccine availability in the country.

    He expressed hope that in the subsequent months, there will be an exponential rise in production of vaccines in the country, the statement said.

    “Between August and December 2021, India will have procured 216 crore vaccine doses, while by July this year, 51 crore doses will be procured,” he was quoted as saying in the statement.

    The Union Health Minister also said that by the end of the year, the country will be in a position to vaccinate at least all of its adult population, the statement said.

    Vardhan presented a snapshot on the COVID situation in all the states and UTs.

    In Chhattisgarh, intense transmission has been observed since March 2021.

    The state was observing a near positivity rate of 30 per cent at the start of May.

    In Himachal Pradesh, there are more than 35,000 active cases, while the fatality rate (1.44 per cent) is much higher than national average, the statement said.

    Vardhan underlined the issues like complacency, marriages, super spreader events etc, for the steep rise in cases in Himachal Pradesh, the statement stated.

    He informed that Goa is witnessing a rising trend with 22,000 active cases.

    Daman and Diu has 366 active cases and a declining trend is being observed.

    Similarly Ladakh is also showing a declining trend with 1,500 active cases at present, the statement said.

  • Fungal infections: Vardhan advises people against indiscriminate, excessive use of steroids

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan Wednesday cautioned people against indiscriminate and excessive use of steroids saying COVID-19 complications are being seen across the country due to breach of treatment protocols.

    Vardhan, who inspected a newly-installed oxygen plant and the construction progress of new COVID blocks at Safdarjung Hospital this morning said that people are taking heavy doses of steroids even when they have not turned hypoxic, a health ministry statement said.

    “Steroids are to be provided only when a patient is hypoxic, to be administered in small doses to prevent side effects and not more than a few days at a stretch. Recommendations of a doctor are must for the use of these medicines,” he said.

    These steps should take care of the occurrence of the higher number of Mucormycosis infections being reported country-wide, he hoped.

    He also requested doctors to stick to ICMR guidelines while treating COVID patients.

    The health minister reviewed the COVID preparedness of the hospital during a meeting held with its doctors.

    He reviewed the functioning of the Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen plant facility which has been established in a record time.

    This is the third plant to be installed at the central government hospital in New Delhi after Dr RML Hospital and Lady Hardinge Medical College, the statement said.

    The plant with a capacity of nearly 1 MT has been built by DRDO with assistance from the PM-CARES fund.

    This will supplement the hospital’s efforts in providing medical oxygen to the COVID affected patient.

    “Safdarjung Hospital will soon be equipped with another plant of 2 MT capacity, which further enhancing this capacity.

    Similarly, 1051 plants are in the process of being established with the help of DRDO, CSIR and HITEC all over the country,” Vardhan was quoted as saying in the statement.

    He also visited the under construction new COVID-19 Block, being built with the help of CSIR-Central Building Research Institute (CSIR-CBRI), Roorkee and examined the progress work.

    He instructed the team to complete this block at earliest, the statement said.

    Speaking to the media, Vardhan talked about the trend of declining COVID cases in recent days.

    He informed about the 3,89,851 recoveries in the last 24 hours; new cases in the last 24 hours have been at 2,67,334; while the recoveries outnumber the new cases by more than 1 lakhs.

    The daily recoveries have now outnumbered the new cases for the 6th consecutive day now which has contributed to the reduction of active caseload, the statement said.

    He also pointed out about the active cases being 32,26,719 as of today.

    Vardhan appealed to the citizens for their contribution in bringing down the COVID cases: “Wearing of masks, following hand hygiene and social distancing between individuals; all COVID Appropriate Behaviour when followed in discipline will help check COVID.”

    He also asked people to be in their homes and venture out only when absolutely necessary.

    Vardhan remembered the well-known faces of the medical community who have lost their lives to COVID in recent days and said, “Dr K K Aggarwal, past President of IMA had contributed to popularization of health education among the masses. Dr. Sekhar Agarwal, Orthopedician treated thousands of patients, Dr. Pankaj Bhatnager also helped many cancer patients get better and we have lost them to COVID.”

    He also remembered the countless COVID warriors who have died in the line of duty.

    In this regard, he also spoke about the sacrifice of the media community who have lost notable personalities like Sunil Jain, Shri Sesh Narayan Singh and Rohit Sardana.

  • Congress MLA challenges Union health minister to prove Pragya Thakur’s ‘gaumutra’ claim

    By PTI
    BHOPAL: A Congress MLA on Wednesday appealed to Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and the National Health Mission to scientifically prove Bhopal BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur’s claim about the ‘gaumutra’ (cow urine) protection against coronavirus.

    In his letter to Harsh Vardhan, senior Congress leader PC Sharma said, “Pragya Singh Thakur is a senior BJP leader and MP from Bhopal. She stated that gaumutra cures the infection of lungs and the COVID-19. Her words must be credible”.

    On Sunday, Thakur told a function that the cow urine extract offers protection against lung infections and coronavirus.

    “Now the pandemic is spread in villages.

    It is apprehended that statements of Thakur will leave the villagers who have faith in ‘Gau Mata’ (the cow) confused and they will start tasking this medication (cow urine) ignoring the well- established treatment of allopathy”, said Sharma, who represents the Bhopal South-West Assembly constituency.

    The MLA said he wrote to Harsh Vardhan and the National Health Mission commissioner, MP, to “remove this confusion and scientifically certify the ‘gaumutra’ claim made by Thakur”.

    Thakur had said ‘gaumutra ark’ (cow urine extract) of a desi cow can keep people away from lung infections.

    “I am in a lot of trouble (health issues) but take the ‘gaumutra ark’ every day. After this, I am not supposed to take any other medicine for coronavirus.

    I am not affected by coronavirus infection. I believe God will keep me protected as I am using this medicine (gaumutra ark),” the Bhopal MP had said.

    Various statements of Thakur, an accused in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case, had sparked controversies in the past.