CHENNAI: Taking pride in its “successful efforts” of containing the spread of Covid-19 in less than two months of taking charge, the DMK government on Tuesday said that it was ready to combat the third wave of the infection, if there is one.
The inoculation drive has picked up pace with 1.34 lakh people getting doses a day on an average from 61,441 a day pre-May 7, when the M K Stalin-led DMK government took over, said medical and family welfare minister Ma Subramanian in the assembly on Tuesday.
Intervening in the debate on the motion of thanks to the governor’s address, Subramanian said the state was ready to combat the third wave with ramping up of health infrastructure in the last one month.
Hospitals have been equipped with oxygen cylinders, oxygen plants and generators.
The chief minister was also reviewing the preparedness for the third wave on a daily basis, he said.
“We added 79,618 beds in 45 days.
A 250-bedded paediatric ward has come up in the Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children in Egmore.
Covid cases fell to 7,427 on Monday from 36,184 (on May 21).
The infection will be completely stopped in a few days, not weeks,” the minister said.
He was responding to Viralimalai MLA and former health minister C Vijayabaskar, who cautioned the state about the warning from experts, including AIIMS director Randeep Guleria on the possibility of early third wave.
“Whether we get or not, let us be ready with strengthened infrastructure, additional procurement and recruitment of doctors and nurses.
We have 1.71 crore non-vaccinated people below 18 years and even if 10% of them land in hospitals, we will have two lakh paediatric cases.
We need a minimum of one lakh beds for children and an equal number for parents accompanying children,” Vijayabaskar said.
The DMK government exuded confidence of making Tamil Nadu a fully-vaccinated state soon.
It has begun receiving vaccines from the Centre after the latter reverted to centralized procurement policy.
It had fixed a target of supplying 42 lakh doses to TN in June and 71 lakh doses in July.
The state had achieved a historic feat of administering vaccines to 3.96 lakh people on Monday.
Subramanian said that everyone was aware that vaccination was the answer to coronavirus.
“We have received 1.29 crore vaccines so far, benefiting 1.24 crore people.
We need 10 crore more vaccines.
The awareness created by the government resulted in people waiting for more than four hours to get the vaccine, while some states had to offer freerice and wheat for vaccination,” the minister said.
Stalin wearing a crown of thorns: Minister Medical and family welfare minister Ma Subramanian on Tuesday said chief minister M K Stalin had confessed to his family and friends that he was wearing a crown of thorns and not one of the flowers since he assumed office in the wake of a second wave of Covid-19 pandemic.
Intervening during a debate on the motion of thanks to the governor for his address in the state assembly, Subramanian said visitors have been pointing out to the chief minister that his “charming hero’s smile” was missing.
“The CM has been telling his family and friends that the crown placed on his head was one of thorns and not that of flowers.
He says he has taken charge during difficult times and wondered how he could be happy as the state registered 26,465 cases when he assumed office on May 7,” the minister said.
Within 10 days, the cases soared to 36,184, making Stalin sadder, he added.
‘Covid will end in Tamil Nadu in a few days’
