Saturday, 05 June 2021 | PNS | Dehradun
Citing the efforts of the state government for successfully containing the first wave of the pandemic of Covid -19 in Uttarakhand during his term in office, former chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said that mass vaccination and making arrangements for protecting children would hold key for success in tackling the expected third wave. He was addressing an online seminar on combating Covid-19 organised by the Doon University here on Friday. Rawat said that when the pandemic hit the state in March last year the health facilities were inadequate. The construction of Covid-19 hospitals, ICU, oxygen cylinders, PPE kits, manufacture of sanitisers, ambulances, isolation wards and other things were taken on war footing. He said that the Asha workers visited every household, the movement of people was restricted and the provisions of the disaster act were enforced which proved effective. The former CM opined that laxity resulted in an increase in cases and the second wave swept through the state and the country. He said that the universities and colleges should undertake awareness campaigns for vaccination and Covid appropriate behaviour. Rawat suggested that compulsory vaccination and preparing separate wards for children in hospitals with arrangements for stay of their parents and appointment of paediatricians are essential for combating contagion during the third wave of pandemic.
The senior scientist of wildlife institute of India, S Satya Kumar advocated setting up bio bubbles in universities, increasing online programmes, tackling false information on social media platforms in his address. Former ambassador to Sweden, Ashok Sajjan said that the vaccine diplomacy under which India provided vaccines to other countries elevated the position of the country in the world. He exuded confidence that soon vaccines would be available in sufficient numbers. The vice chancellor (VC) of Doon University, Surekha Dangwal said that the university is dedicatedly working in the direction of achieving academic excellence. The VC of Uttarakhand Open University, OPS Negi, advisor, higher education K D Purohit, S P Sati, Kusum Arunachalam, registrar M S Mandrawal and others were present on the occasion.
