Jaipur: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday directed officials to make available life-saving tocilizumab injection and plasma therapy to every COVID-19 patient in critical condition.
In a review meeting on the coronavirus situation in the state, he said that tocilizumab injection costs around Rs 40,000 and is out of reach for poor and the state government will immediately approve funds for making the drug available for all.
Stressing on the need to provide better medical facilities to poor, CM said, "Life of every individual in the state is important and it is the top priority of the govt to save the life of people during this pandemic.
"In areas which report a high spike of coronavirus cases, medical experts should be sent to assist the local doctors. The condition of patients admitted to private hospitals should be continuously monitored by the district authorities and health officers," he instructed.
Plasma Donation Camp:
In a bid to promote plasma donation in Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot said, "Plasma donation camp must be organised in the state and recovered Covid-19 patients must be encouraged to come forward and donate plasma. Awareness campaigns and plasma donation drives must be organised. All efforts must be undertaken by the authorities to test and treat people to contain the stem of the virus. The mortality rate in the state is very low but as a precautionary measure random testing must be done."
Gehlot directed officials to ensure availability of plasma and life-saving injections as per requirement in all medical colleges and district hospitals of the state along with the SMS hospital.
"Make such an arrangement that the plasma needed for therapy should be present in our bank. For this, awareness campaigns and donation camps should be set up," Gehlot said.
