Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that efforts should not be limited to India’s immediate neighborhood but also the entire world

While reviewing the COVID-19 situation in a meeting today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that a robust delivery, distribution, and administration of the vaccine must be ensured in India and the neighborhood. He said that efforts should be made to reach out to the entire world in providing COVID-19 aid.

Three vaccines are in advanced stages of development in India, out of which two are in Phase II and one is in Phase-III. Indian scientists and research teams are collaborating and strengthening the research capacities in neighboring countries, including Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

There are further requests from Bangladesh, Myanmar, Qatar, and Bhutan for clinical trials in their countries, according to a statement by the Prime Minister Office.

The Prime Minister directed that efforts should not be limited to our immediate neighborhood but also the entire world should be reached out in providing vaccines, medicines, and IT platforms for the vaccine delivery system.

Keeping in view the geographical span and diversity of the country, the Prime Minister directed that the access to the vaccine should be ensured speedily. He stressed that every step in the logistics, delivery, and administration should be put in place rigorously.

It must include advanced planning of cold storage chains, distribution network, monitoring mechanism, advance assessment, and preparation of ancillary equipment required, such as vails, and syringes, PM Modi reiterated.

Noting the successful conduct of disaster management and elections in the country, he said that vaccine delivery and administration systems should be similarly put in place.

This should involve the participation of States and Union Territories, District level functionaries, civil society organizations, volunteers, citizens, and experts from all necessary domains.

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the total positive cases of the country on Saturday morning was 7,95,087, which is only 10.70% of the total cases. The active caseload was below the 8 lakh mark last on September 1 with the figure standing at 7,85,996.

The ministry pointed out that India is also reporting a high number of recoveries. Official data says that the total recovered cases have crossed 65 lakhs and the figure now stands at 65,24,595.

Speaking at the meeting, the Prime Minister noted the steady decline in the daily Covid-19 cases and growth rate and cautioned against the complacency at the decline and keeping up efforts to contain the pandemic.

The meeting was attended by Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, Principal Secretary to PM, Member (Health) NITI Aayog, Principal Scientific Advisor, Senior Scientists, officers of PMO, and other Departments of Government of India.