India's Covid-19 Emergency Response Package: Phase II
Why in News
The Union Cabinet has recently approved a Rs. 23,123 crore package to boost emergency response and healthcare systems.
- It includes funding for 20,000 additional ICU (intensive care unit) beds and the setting up of paediatric units in all districts, ahead of a potential third wave of Covid-19 in the country.
Key Points
- Background:
- Phase I of Package: In March 2020, when the country was faced with the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Central Sector Scheme of Rs. 15,000 crore was announced for the "India Covid-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Package".
- It aimed at providing a critical impetus to the efforts of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and States/UTs, and catalysing health systems activities for pandemic management.
- Since mid-February 2021, the country is experiencing a second wave which has spread into rural, peri-urban and tribal areas.
- Phase I of Package: In March 2020, when the country was faced with the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Central Sector Scheme of Rs. 15,000 crore was announced for the "India Covid-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Package".
- Phase II of Package:
- The Phase-II of the Package has Central Sector (CS) and Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) components.
- The Union government fully funds the central sector schemes, whereas centrally sponsored schemes are jointly funded by the Centre and states.
- It would be implemented from 1st July 2021 to 31st March 2022.
- The Phase-II of the Package has Central Sector (CS) and Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) components.
- Purpose:
- Includes funding for paediatric units in all 736 districts, and the setting up of 20,000 ICU beds, 20% of which would be “hybrid”, that is, for adults as well as children.
- There are apprehensions about a third wave of Covid-19 affecting children more than before.
- It is aimed at preventing the problems observed during the second wave, including lack of transport facilities for oxygen and shortage of medicines, from happening again.
- The Centre would provide support to its hospitals, the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences, and other institutes of national importance, for repurposing 6,688 beds for Covid-19 management.
- Genome sequencing machines would be provided to the National Centre for Disease Control.
- The package would also provide for the expansion of the national telemedicine platform, eSanjeevani, by increasing daily consultations from 50,000 at present to 5 lakh.
- States would be supported to carry out at least 21.5 lakh tests a day and add 8,800 ambulances.
- Includes funding for paediatric units in all 736 districts, and the setting up of 20,000 ICU beds, 20% of which would be “hybrid”, that is, for adults as well as children.