The Punjab Government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and its consequent health crisis has been quick yet strategic and well planned

The Punjab Government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and its consequent health crisis has been quick yet strategic and well planned, said O.P. Soni Minister for Medical Education and Research Punjab and informed that in order to disseminate the plethora of the information about Covid-19 in a structured manner, a strategy was evolved by the State Government with the guidance of Professor K.K. Talwar, the Advisor to the State Government on Health and Medical Education.

O.P. SoniWorking on the strategy, 19 online sessions were organized by the State Government during the lockdown period falling between 27th of March to 4th of June.

The sessions were held with 1914 medical professionals involved in Covid care services including medical specialists and anesthetists looking after mild to moderately sick Covid-19 patients; and with faculty of Medical Colleges and other critical career experts looking after critical Covid-19 patients.

Punjab governmentDoctors and faculty from various Medical Colleges of Punjab were brought together on an e-platform, including specialists from AIIMS, PGI,USA, UK and Italy with significant experience on the matter.

Administrators from the Department of Health and medical education were also made a part of this group to ensure that operational challenges were directly communicated to and resolved by the decision makers. Research projects such as the use of plasma and steroids have also been initiated on this platform.

Mission Fateh Protocols for management of systemic comorbidities were also discussed and framed using this platform. It is to be noted that the medical colleges of Punjab have been working together as a unified cohesive force to tackle the pandemic and teamwork has proved to be effective in ensuring quality care to these patients and has saved the lives of many in Punjab, asserted Soni.