Thiruvananthapuram: With Covid-19 cases once again up and the government began to impose restrictions such as during the first wave and both pandemic, the Ministry of Health has provided sanctions RS 79.75 Crore for incentive and risk benefits for Covid-19 brigade.
Minister of Khord Veena George said that funds would benefit nearly 19,500 Covid brigade volunteers involved in various Covid control activities in the state.
He added that funds would be disbursed to their account after rushing through the earliest formality.
When the spread of intense during the first wave, the Covid-19 brigade was formed by the state government about the instructions of the Ministry of Health Union.
All people who advance to volunteers from the health sector and other sectors are included in the brigade.
Brigades were strengthened during the second wave, and when the spread of Covid-19 was reduced at the national level, the brigade was stopped.
As 1 November last year, there were 19,642 members in the Covid-19 Brigade in the state, including medical officers (1,707), dental surgeons (310), nurse staff (6.257), pharmacist (563), Lab Technician (761), Junior Health Inspector (1,744), Junior Public Health Nurse (499), Data Entry Operator (1,178), Cleaning Staff (4,120) and others (2,503).
As of July 1 last year, the state has spent RS 145.42 Crore against incentives and benefits of BRIGADE-19 contract employees.
Meanwhile, the disaster management department has also started preparatory work to strengthen Covid-19 mitigation activities.
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On Thursday, the department has provided Rs 22 Crore for the district to immediately start work.
While Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Wayanad and Chasilgod were given RS 1 Crore, the remaining district had been given Rs 2 Crore for this purpose.
The districts have been asked to take advantage of funds for Covid-19 mitigation activities, in accordance with the state disaster response fund guidelines.