PM Modi chairs meeting of Empowered Groups to tackle COVID-19 crisis

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday chaired a joint meeting of the Empowered Groups constituted for planning and ensuring implementation of COVID-19 response activities in the country.

In the meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed countrywide preparedness regarding the availability of hospitals, proper isolation, and quarantine facilities as well as disease surveillance, testing, and critical care training.

PM @narendramodi reviewed countrywide preparedness regarding availability of hospitals, proper isolation and quarantine facilities as well as disease surveillance, testing and critical care training.

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 4, 2020

He also directed officials to ensure sufficient production, procurement, and availability of all essential medical equipment such as PPEs, masks, gloves, and ventilators.

PM @narendramodi also directed the concerned groups and officials to ensure sufficient production, procurement and availability of all essential medical equipment such as PPEs, masks, gloves and ventilators.

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 4, 2020

The Ministry of Home Affairs on March 29 constituted 11 Empower groups for tackling the COVID19 crisis under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

These groups are involved in ensuring the availability of medical equipment, facilitating supply chain for the availability of necessary items like food and medicines, medical emergency management plan, availability of hospitals, isolation and quarantine facilities, disease surveillance and testing, critical care training, by identifying key problem areas and formulating strategies to tackle the crisis.

Out of the Empowered Groups, nine are headed by Secretary level officers, one by a member of NITI Aayog, one by CEO of NITI Aayog. 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called for a nine-minute blackout plea at 9 pm on April 5 to light diyas or candles in the home to show solidarity and confidence in our collective fight against COVID19.

(With agency inputs)