Lok Sabha Debates
Statement Regarding Reported Cases Across The World And In India Of Novel ... on 5 March, 2020
Seventeenth Loksabha an> Title : Statement regarding reported cases across the world and in India of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and steps taken by Government of India.
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE, MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES (DR. HARSH VARDHAN): Mr. Chairman, Sir, in continuation of the statement made by me in Rajya Sabha on 7th February and Lok Sabha on 10th February, I would further like to update the hon. Members on the present situation related to the outbreak of novel Corona Virus Disease and the actions taken by the Government of India.
As mentioned earlier, Coronaviruses are large group of viruses that cause illness in humans and animals. Rarely, animal corona viruses can also evolve and infect people and then spread between people as has been seen with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003 and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in 2014.
Since reporting of an outbreak of Novel Coronavirus on 31st December, 2019 in China, a large number of cases have been reported across all provinces of China and other parts of the world including India. WHO has named the novel coronavirus disease as COVID-19.
As on 4th March, a total of 80,270 confirmed cases and 2,981 deaths have been reported in China. Though the daily confirmed cases and deaths have shown a downward trend in China, still new cases are being reported from Hubei province and Wuhan city, the epicentre of the outbreak. A total of 12,857 confirmed cases and 220 deaths have been reported outside China from 78 countries (including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan). Among these, 30 countries have reported local transmission.
World Health Organization (WHO) has declared this outbreak as a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” (PHEIC) on 30th January, 2020 and raised the level of global risk to “very high” on 28th February, 2020. Though WHO has not declared COVID-19 to be pandemic, it has asked the countries to remain prepared. It is worth highlighting that India initiated required preparedness and action at field level since 17th January itself, much before the advice from WHO.
Once a person is exposed to the infection, the disease may develop anytime between 1-14 days. The main symptoms of novel corona virus disease are fever, cough, and difficulty in breathing. All suspected or probable cases of COVID-19 must be treated in isolation with barrier nursing and universal precautions to prevent further spread of disease.
In our country, as on 4th March, a total of 29 positive cases have been reported so far. Of these, 3 cases were reported in Kerala earlier, who have since recovered and have been discharged already. Since last 3 days, new travel related cases have tested positive. These include one in Delhi (having travel history of Italy) and Telangana (having travel history from Dubai and contact history from person in Singapore). Both are clinically stable. Six more cases have tested positive in Agra, Uttar Pradesh having contact history with the case in Delhi. Required action as per Cluster Management plan has been initiated. Further, an Italian Tourist and his wife have tested positive in Rajasthan. 14 other accompanying tourists in this group and their Indian bus driver tested positive on their return to Delhi. All of them are reported stable. A recent positive case has also been reported in Delhi yesterday (having travel history from Italy) and is stable.
The ever-increasing magnitude of this outbreak globally calls for a concerted effort by not only the Health Department but all sectors of the Government. The hon. Prime Minister is personally monitoring the preparedness and response on a regular basis. The Government of India has initiated a series of actions to prevent entry of the disease and to contain it. I am daily reviewing the situation. A Group of Ministers consisting of Minister of External Affairs, Minister of Civil Aviation, Minister of State for Home Affairs, Minister of State for Shipping, and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare chaired by me, has been constituted to monitor the situation. The Group of Ministers has met four times since its inception on 3rd February, 2020. The Cabinet Secretary is taking regular reviews with all related Ministries of Health, Defence, External Affairs, Civil Aviation, Home, Textile, Pharma, Commerce and other officials including with State Chief Secretaries. My own Ministry is constantly reviewing the evolving scenario. Video Conferences are being held with States every other day.
The Government of India has also taken several measures to control the risk of novel Coronavirus infection spreading to India. Our first Travel Advisory was issued on 17th January, 2020, and as situation is evolving, the Travel Advisories are accordingly getting revised. Presently, it prescribes:
. All Regular Visas/e-Visas (including Visa on Arrival for Japan and South Korea) granted to nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan and issued on or before 3rd March, 2020, and who have not yet entered India, stand suspended with immediate effect;
. Regular Visas/e-Visas granted to nationals of People Republic of China, issued on or before 5th February, 2020 were suspended earlier. It shall remain in force.
. Regular Visas/e-Visas granted to all foreign nationals, who have travelled to People’s Republic of China, Iran, Italy, South Korea and Japan on or after 1st February, 2020, and who have not yet entered India, stand suspended with immediate effect.
. Diplomats, officials of UN and other International Bodies, OCI cardholders and Aircrew from above countries are exempted from such restriction on entry. However, their screening at point of entry is compulsory.
. Passengers of all international flights now entering into India from any port are required to furnish duly filled self-declaration form (including personal particulars i.e., phone No. and address in India) and travel history, to Health officials and Immigration officials at all the ports.
. Indian citizens are advised to refrain from travel to China, Iran, Republic of Korea, Italy and Japan and are also advised to avoid non-essential travel to other COVID-19 affected countries.
. Screening of passengers was initiated in the country since 18th January, 2020. Initially airports at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kochi were covered and subsequently, it was expanded in a total of 21 airports. As per the evolving situation, initially Universal Screening was taken up for all passengers coming via direct flights from China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, Italy, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand and Singapore. Since yesterday, directions have also been issued for Universal Screening for all international passengers coming in the country. Signages have been displayed at prominent places in airports and ports. In-flight announcements are being made and self-declaration forms are being filled up by all passengers. As on 4th March, a total of 6,241 flights have been screened covering a total of 6,11,167 passengers. Teams of Specialist doctors were sent to all the airports to ensure effective screening and arrangements for isolation in the attached hospitals.
Screening of passengers has also been initiated in 12 major seaports and 65 minor ports in the country to identify passengers & crew coming from China and to isolate them in case they are found symptomatic. As on 4th March, 16,076 persons have been screened at the ports.
Government has initiated screening in all integrated check posts with bordering countries in collaboration with States of UP, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Sikkim and Bihar and Seema Shastra Bal (SSB) and Land Port Authorities. Gram Sabhas have been conducted in villages adjoining the borders to create awareness amongst people about the disease and precautions to be taken in collaboration with Panchayati Raj Ministry. Eight Central Teams visited the bordering villages in States of UP, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Sikkim and Bihar to review the activities at the border crossing, the conduct of Gram Sabhas and risk communication to the community. A total number of 3,823 Gram Sabhas have been conducted and 11, 20,529 people have been screened at the border check posts till now.
In view of the continuing lock down of the Hubei Province in China, the Government of India decided to evacuate the Indian students and other professionals working in Wuhan and neighbouring cities in the Hubei Province. In a coordinated operation with Ministry of Civil Aviation, Air India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, two Special Air India flights were operated between Delhi and Wuhan on 31st January and 1st February 2020 that brought back a total of 654 passengers that included 647 Indian citizens (including two Indian Embassy officials who were on the ground in Wuhan to coordinate the evacuation operation) and 7 Maldivian nationals. These evacuees were kept in Army Quarantine Centre at Manesar and ITBP Camp at Chhawla. All these evacuees were tested after 14 days and on being found negative, discharged on 18th February 2020.
Further, Indian Air Force, on 26th February 2020 had evacuated a total of 112 people from Wuhan, which included 76 Indians and nationals from Myanmar, Bangladesh, Maldives, China, South Africa, USA and Madagascar. The evacuees reached Delhi on 27th February morning and are kept at ITBP camp for quarantine for a period of 14 days as per protocol. I am happy to inform that they have all tested negative so far and are stable. This flight also had carried Personal Protective Equipments, disposables and medical equipments which was given as a good-will gesture to China from Indian Government.
The Indian Embassy and Consulates are also in regular contact with the Indian Community in other parts of China and is keeping a constant track of their well-being.
Another evacuation was successfully carried out by Air India, by bringing back 124 people on 27th February morning including 5 foreign nationals who were aboard the COVID-19 infected Cruise Ship Diamond Princess from Port of Yokohama, Japan. They are kept in Army Facility at Manesar for 14 days quarantine presently. I am happy to highlight that even these evacuees have tested negative and are stable.
Regular surveillance has been initiated across the country for all cases having travel history from all major COVID-19 affected countries and for people having contact with such persons and having fever, cough or breathlessness. Through Integrated Disease Surveillance network all such persons are tracked and as on 4th March, a total of 28,529 persons were brought under community surveillance and are being regularly monitored throughout the country.
The State Surveillance Officers, District Surveillance Officers and rapid response teams of health professionals under the leadership of State Health Secretaries are monitoring all such people on a daily basis. Sufficient isolation beds have been made available in the tertiary facilities across the country to manage any outbreak.
Ministry has also issued guidelines to support States on surveillance and contact tracing, surveillance at Points of Entry, laboratory samples collection, packaging and transport, clinical management protocol and infection prevention and control in healthcare facilities. To ensure availability of critical items like Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) & N95 masks, the export of the same was also restricted. A buffer stock of personal protective equipment & N95 masks is maintained by the States as well as by the Union Government.
National Institute of Virology, Pune is the nodal laboratory. As part of ICMR’s preparedness for emerging/re-emerging infectious disease, NIV, Pune has established capacity for molecular diagnosis of COVID-19. Next generation sequencing is also established. Testing of clinical samples has also been initiated in 15 more laboratories. Another 19 laboratories are being prepared to test samples to ensure adequate geographical spread across the country. The network is being further expanded.
Risk communication material has been prepared and is widely disseminated even in regional languages through the States. Required awareness in community is ensured through technical briefings by experts in radio and television. Daily Press briefing is being held by the Ministry of Health and information is being shared through social media. A 24X7 Control Room is operational with call centre number as 011-23978046. So far, more than 9200 calls have been attended including 667 international calls.
The Government of India is in regular touch with the World Health Organisation Headquarters, regional office and country office to get updates on the evolving scenario.
Our focus is on adherence to core capacities for disease preparedness and response which include surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, hospital preparedness, logistics management, capacity building of healthcare staff and risk communication to the community. The scale and extent of our interventions have increased in alignment with the evolving situation of COVID-19 across the world and India in particular.
With the increasing global spread of the disease, we are confronted with new challenges. The contact tracing of positive cases requires tracing of hundreds of contacts in multiple locations and monitoring their health. Similarly, the cases in Agra being transmitted to family members by the confirmed case has necessitated putting up a containment plan to contain the cluster of cases in Agra.
Another major area of concern is Indian pilgrims and students stranded in Tehran and Quam, Iran, epicentres of the Iran COVID-19 outbreak. The Government of India is following up with Iran authorities for their well-being and to tie up evacuation as per the need.
In addition to manage travel related cases, additional challenge is to contain clusters due to local transmission that requires highly resource intensive containment operations. We have provided the Containment Action Plan to all the States. A national level training workshop has been planned for all the States and hospitals from other Ministries on COVID-19 management on 6th of March, 2020 which will then be taken up to the district level. Senior officers of the Ministry have been deputed to States and UTs to review their preparedness and provide required guidance in the containment efforts.
We have designated the District Collector as the nodal officer at the field level for containment operations. States have been guided in terms of identifying containment zone, buffer zone and preparation of micro plan to ensure effective active and passive surveillance and contact tracing through inter-disciplinary teams in the areas where cases are located.
I want to inform this House that the Government is taking all necessary measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 in India. I seek the cooperation of all the Members of the House in creating awareness about the disease and informing the countrymen about the various preventive steps that they need to take. Thank you.
माननीयसभापति (श्रीराजेन्द्रअग्रवाल): माननीयमंत्रीजीनेकाफीविस्तृतवक्तव्यदियाहै।
…( व्यवधान)
श्रीअधीररंजनचौधरी (बहरामपुर): आपमना करेंगेतो हमनहीं बोलेंगे।…(व्यवधान)
माननीयसभापति:अधीरजी,आपमेरीबाततोपूरीहोनेदीजिए।मैंनेमनाकहांकियाहै?
…( व्यवधान)
माननीयसभापति:अखिलेशजी,बालूसाहब,आपबैठजाइए।
…( व्यवधान)
HON. CHAIRPERSON: Please sit down. I will just allow you to speak.
....(Interruptions)
माननीयसभापति:अधीरजी,आपसुनिएतोसही।आपमुझसेबेहतरनियमोंकोजानतेहैं।
…( व्यवधान)
माननीयसभापति:माननीयमंत्रीजीकेवक्तव्यकेपश्चात्सामान्यत:चर्चाकीअनुमतिनहींहोतीहै,परंतुविशेषमहत्वकामसलाहै,इसलिएमैंकुछमाननीयसदस्योंकोसुझावकेरूपमेंअपनीबातकहनेकीअनुमतिदेरहाहूं।आपअपनीबातसंक्षेपमेंरखिए।एकमिनटयामैक्सिममदोमिनटमेंअपनीबातरखिए।
…( व्यवधान)
HON. CHAIRPERSON: No reply or response will be given by the hon. Minister. You can only give suggestions and seek queries whatever you want.
....(Interruptions)
माननीयसभापति:अधीररंजनजी।
श्रीअधीररंजनचौधरी (बहरामपुर): माननीयसभापतिजी, हमचर्चामें भागले सकतेहैं, इसीलिएमैं भागले रहाहूं। सदनमें यहप्रेक्टिसनहीं है, मैंजानताहूं, राज्यसभा मेंहै, लोकसभा मेंनहीं है।
माननीयसभापति: आपबोलिए।आप अपनेसुझावदीजिए।
…(व्यवधान)
श्रीअधीररंजनचौधरी (बहरामपुर): माननीयसभापतिजी, बातयह हैकि SARS-CoVऔर MERS-CoV से परिचितहैं,यहनयाकोविड-19आगयाहै।यहहमारेलिएनईसमस्यापैदाकररहाहै।यहजेनेटिकबाएनेचरहै।इससेहिंदुस्तानकेलोगपरिचितनहींहैंइसलिएजहांकोरोनावायरसकीबातउठतीहै,हड़कंपमचजाताहै।आपकोसबसेपहलेयहदेखनाचाहिएकि कोरोनावायरसकोलेकरकिसीभीहालतमेंअफवाहनफैलाईजाए।अफवाहकेकारणबड़ीहानिहोनेकीसंभावनाहोतीहै।
आपप्रिवेंटिवमीजर्सकीबातकहतेहैं,हमेंसबसेबड़ाप्रिवेंटिवमीजरलेनाचाहिए,अबमास्कबाजारसेगायबहोनेलगेहैं।आपकोपेरासीटामोलदवाकाबड़ाजमावड़ाकरनाहोगा।सबसेबड़ीबातहैकि रेस्पिरेटरीहाइजीनकीलोगोंकोजानकारीनहींहै।टीवीमेंकहतेहैंकिसेनिटाइजरयूज़करो,हरवक्तहाथधोनेकेलिएसाबुनऔरपानीयूज़करो।हिंदुस्तानकेलोगइसकेआदीनहींहैं।सेनीटाइजरकितनेलोगोंकेपासहै,मुझेइसकीजानकारीनहींहै,खासकरमेरेपासतोनहींरहताहै।साबुन,पानीऔरसेनीटाइजरहरगांवमेंमुहैयाकरानेकेलिएआपकोकुछतोकार्रवाईकरनीपड़ेगी।
आपबाहरसेआनेवालेलोगोंकेलिएएयरपोर्टपरस्क्रीनिंगकरतेहैं,लेकिनहिंदुस्तानके बॉर्डरतोलोगलैंडसेभीक्रासकरतेहैं।आपगांव-गांवमेंनियोजितकरतेहैं,डिप्लायकरतेहैं,अच्छाहै,लेकिनपंचायतमेंइसतरहकीसुविधामुहैयाकरानेकेलिएक्याकररहेहैं?साथ-साथमैंसलाहदूंगाकिआपवायरोलॉजीटैस्टकीबातकररहेहैं,इसकीसुविधाहरडिस्ट्रिक्टमेंहोनीचाहिए।आपएकहैल्पलाइनभीतैयारकीजिए।
हमारेलिएकोरोनावायरसएकएलियनडिसीज़आगईहै।यहदुनियामें 60 देशों मेंफैलरहीहै।सबसेपहलीबातयहहैकिहिंदुस्तान 130 करोड़ वालीआबादीवालादेशहै।यहांदूरदराज़गांवोंमेंलोगोंकोकैसेपताचलेगा?सबसेबड़ीबातहैकिबच्चोंकीसुपरविजनबहुतजरूरीहै।हमारीतोउम्रहोगईहै,हमतोजानकारीलेलेतेहैं,लेकिनबच्चोंकेसिम्पटम्सकोसमझनेकेलिएआपकीतरफसेमैसिवऔरइन्टेन्सिवकैम्पेनिंगहोनीचाहिए। …(व्यवधान)वल्नरेबलएरियाआइडेंटीफाईकरनाचाहिए।वल्नरेबलएरियामेंमैसिवऔरइन्टेन्सिवकैम्पेनिंगहोनीचाहिए,खासकरबच्चोंपरज्यादाध्यानदेनेकीजरूरतहै।
दवाई,मास्क,सेनीटाइजरऔररेस्पिटरेटरीहाइजीनकेविषयपरपूराकैम्पेनहोनाचाहिए,जागरूकताहोनीचाहिए।हमारेनेताराहुलगांधीजीसरकारकोपहलेहीसतर्ककरचुकेथेकिइसतरहकेहालातपैदाहोंगे।
HON. CHAIRPERSON : Kanimozhi ji, please try to be brief. Conclude within a minute.
… (Interruptions)
SHRIMATI KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI (THOOTHUKKUDI): Sir, the Minister, in his Statement, has clearly told us that they have been warned of this in the month of January and that they have taken a lot of steps in this regard. I congratulate him for that. He has also mentioned that there is only one Virology Institute in the whole country, which is in Pune. I think it is not sufficient because it is a global epidemic. It is an international threat. We should have this Institute at least in different zones of the country. I think they had adequate time to establish that and they should have done that.
I would like to say one more thing. Hospital management is within the cities. Quarantining of patients is done within the city hospitals. As you are aware, this is the most transmissible disease compared to MERS and SARS. This is much more transmissible. So, taking the patients inside the city and quarantining them inside the hospitals is not a right move. I think you should have the required medical facilities closer to the airports where they can be screened and other aspects of hospital management can be carried out.
I think thermal screening is not available in most of the airports. It is not there at all. I have gone myself to the airport to receive people who came from abroad. Thermal screening was not done there. I think that has to be done. The swab test is also not being conducted. Rather than having thermal screening, they are asking the people who are coming back from foreign countries to reveal where all they have travelled on their own. I think that will not be sufficient.
I also think that masks are not available. There is a panic among the people all over the country that masks and medication are not available in adequate quantity. Thank you.
PROF. SOUGATA RAY (DUM DUM): It is good that the House, after a four-day hiatus, has gathered in peace to discuss a serious matter affecting the health of the people. COVID-19 or the Coronavirus Disease is a new one. Earlier, we had the problem of Ebola virus. This Coronavirus originated from Wuhan in China and has now spread to Iran, Italy, South Korea, etc. माननीयसभापति : सौगतबाबू आपसुझावदीजिए।हिस्ट्रीमें क्योंजा रहेहैं।
प्रो. सौगतराय:आप तोपहलेइतनाइम्पेशन्टनहींथे।मैंआपकोबहुतदिनोंसेजानताहूं।
माननीयसभापति: मैंअभीभीनहींहूं।
प्रो. सौगतराय:आप धीरजक्योंखोरहेहैं।अच्छाहोरहाहै।हाउसशांतिसेचर्चाचलरहाहै।कृपयाआपइसमेंटिप्पणीमतकीजिए।मैंशॉर्टमेंखत्मकरदूंगा।
Viruses are something which are very small. They cannot be seen with naked eye. …(Interruptions) Viruses cannot be seen under microscope. They can be diagnosed only under electron microscopes. So, there is no cure to any viral disease. You can do only symptomatic treatment. One can only try to contain the disease by avoiding physical contact. Do not shake hands. Keep a three-feet distance. Cover your eyes, mouth and nostrils. So, these are things which have to be communicated to the people.
I suggest to the Minister that in every TV channel and radio, there should be a 15-second clip to advise the people not to panic. There is a great panic throughout the country. But so far only 29 people out of 130 crore of population have been positively diagnosed. So, compared to other countries, in our country the situation is still under control. The Government of India has taken certain steps, especially with regard to airports and land ports. But as Shri Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had mentioned, ours is a long and porous border and Wuhan in China is rather close to us.
माननीयसभापति : मैं माननीयसदस्यगणसेयहअनुरोधकररहाहूंकियहचर्चानहींहोरहीहै।ऑनरेबलमिनिस्टरनेस्टेटमेंटदियाहै,उसपरआपकोसुझावदेनाहै। Please be pointed and be brief. That is all.
…( व्यवधान)
प्रो. सौगतराय:सर, मेरासुझावसमाप्तहो गयाहै। कोरोनावायरससे फीवरहोता है, कफहोता हैऔर कफसे ड्रॉपलैट्सनिकलतीहैं ।So, you have to advise the people not to shake hands, keep a three-feet distance, not to step on the droplets etc. श्रीअरविंदसावंत(मुम्बईदक्षिण):माननीयचैयरमेनसर, माननीयमंत्रीजी नेविस्तृतरूप मेंस्टेटमेंटदिया है,उसके लिएमैं उनकाअभिनन्दनकरता हूं।उन्होंनेबहुत डिटेलमें बतायाहै। इसमेंसमाधानकी बातयह हैकि अभीतक इससेसिर्फ28 लोगही पीड़ितहैं। इसलिएडर नहींलग रहाहै फिरभी यहडर दोनोंतरफ सेपैदा हुआहै। मैंएक रिक्वेस्टकरने केलिए खड़ाहुआ हूं।खासकरउनके लिएजो भारतीयदूसरेदेशोंमें फंसेहुए हैं,उनके परिवारयहां परपेनिकहैं। उनकीवहां परक्या स्थितिहै, यहसमझ मेंनहीं आरहा है।ईरान मेंलगभग एकहजार सेभी ज्यादालोग फंसेहुए हैंतो सरकारउनको अपनेदेश मेंलाने केलिए क्याकदम उठारही है,इसकी जानकारीउनके परिवारके लोगभी चाहतेहैं। आपनेअपने स्टेटमेंटमें कहाहै किहमने उनकीतरफ ध्यानदेने केलिए ईरानमें बातकी है,लेकिनवे वापसकब आएंगे,इसकी चिंताबहुत सेलोगोंको है।इस परसरकारक्या कदमउठा रहीहै? कनिमोझीजी नेवायरोलॉजीके लिएभी कहाहै तोयह बहुतइम्पॉर्टेंटहै। इसकादेश मेंएक हीइंस्टिट्यूटहै अगरदेश मेंऔर भीहोंगेतो अच्छाहोगा।
SHRI KANUMURU RAGHURAMA KRISHNARAJU (NARSAPURAM): Thank you, Chairman, Sir, for giving me an opportunity to talk on this important subject, which is shaking the whole world.
In this regard, of course, majority of the things have already been cleared by our hon. Minister. What I would like to submit here is that all our traditional Hindu culture, for example, not to shake hands, do namaste etc. have to be demonstrated …(Interruptions) and also adab …(Interruptions) These are all very good habits …(Interruptions) All the Indian culture has to be clearly demonstrated and let there be advertisement on this …(Interruptions)
श्रीकौशलेन्द्रकुमार (नालंदा):माननीयसभापतिमहोदय,माननीयमंत्रीजीनेकोरोनावायरसपरअपनीबातरखीहै,उसकेलिएआजपूरादेशचिंतितहै।माननीयमंत्रीजीनेहरबातकोविस्तारसेरखाहै,मैंउसकेलिएउनकोबधाईदेताहूं।इससेपूरादेशचिंतितहै।आजलोगोंमेंभयव्याप्तहै।मेराएकहीसुझावहोगाकिपंचायतस्तरसेलेकरजिलास्तरतकइसकाकोईनाकोईसमाधाननिकलनाचाहिए।जहांपरभीइसकेबारेमेंपताचले,वहांपरउसकोतुरन्तपकड़नेकाप्रयासहोनाचाहिए।आजहमारेदेशकेप्रधानमंत्रीजीभीचिंतितहैं।मैंमाननीयमंत्रीजीकोबधाईदेताहूंकिअन्यदेशोंसेपहलेआजहमारेमंत्रीजीचिंतितहैं।…(व्यवधान)
SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB (CUTTACK): Mr. Chairman, Sir, we have got a very exhaustive statement from the hon. Health Minister relating to the preparedness of our country and also what is happening outside.
For the last two or three decades, virus has become more pandemic and the earlier diseases that were actually affecting the human race have subsided to a very great extent because of the exploration that has been made through medical science.
A number of viruses has affected our country. Indian scientists were also praised throughout the world when Ebola affected large parts of Africa.
Today, I would like to impress upon the Government that they should disseminate information about the exploration our medical scientists are making to mutate the virus, which has caused this terrible disease throughout the country.
We are told that by month of May adequate medicine will be tested and also brought out in the market. But the panic that has been created throughout the world and also in our country is this. Is this virus only confined to the winter season? If it is going to have similar or same effect also in summer, then there would be no end to it.
What has been also stated is that this virus effects in a major way those people who are above 60 years. The children are seldom affected.
PROF. SOUGATA RAY : Children are also affected. It is children and old people.
SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB : Yes, but it is very miniscule. When you have a Professor sitting next to you, then you have lot of suggestions also coming, but they should go to the Government.
Here, I would also like to mention that screening of international passengers at airports is a necessity. We have a screening facility in Delhi also, but all airports that have international flights including Bhubaneswar should have screening facilities as well as quarantine facilities. When I travelled to Africa, at that time I was quarantined before I went there. I was asked to take an injection, and I was quarantined near the Delhi airport.
PROF. SOUGATA RAY: It was for Yellow Fever.
SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB : Yes, it was for Yellow Fever. Now, again you have made a point.
But my suggestion is that quarantine system -- as has been suggested by hon. Member from DMK -- should not be done in a medical college or medical facility that is available today where large number of patients / people visit. It should be exclusive as it was done in Haryana when Indians came from Wuhan, China.
Therefore, my earnest request is that you should also take the State Governments along with you; give them advisory; and also provide certain amount of funding so that they can help in eradicating this disease.
श्रीरितेशपाण्डेय (अम्बेडकरनगर): धन्यवाद, अधिष्ठातामहोदय।कोविड-19 काजो प्रकोपहमारेदेश मेंफैल रहाहै, यद्यपिवह दुखदहै, लेकिनसरकारने इसकासंज्ञानलेकर आजसंसद मेंइस परविस्तारसे अपनावक्तव्यदिया है, इसकेलिए मैंमंत्रीजी कोधन्यवाददेता हूं।
मान्यवर, मेरेदो-तीनसुझावहैं, मेराअनुरोधहै किसरकारइनको गंभीरतासे ले।अभी मास्ककी बातहुई थीऔर यहभी बतायागया हैकि सरकारने उसकाएक्सपोर्टरोक दियाहै, लेकिनउसके दामकंपनियांअपने आपबढ़ातीचली जारही हैं।जो मास्क15 रुपयेमें मिलताथा, आजवह 500 रुपयेमें मिलरहा है।उसके साथ-साथ, जोहैण्डसैनिटाइजरकी बातहो रहीहै, साबुनआदि चीजोंकी बातहो रहीहै, उनकेभी दामोंपर अच्छीनिगाहरखी जाए।जो हैण्डसैनिटाइजर50 रुपयेया 150 रुपयेमें मिलताथा, आजवह 500 रुपयेका मिलरहा है।यहां परकुछ कंपनियांइकोनोमिकअपॉर्चुनिटीदेखकर, इसप्रकोपका फायदाउठाकरअपनी जेबेंगरम करनाचाहतीहैं। मेरासरकारसे अनुरोधहै किइस परखास निगाहरखी जाए, क्योंकिजो इसदेश केसबसे गरीबलोग हैं, अगरउनमेंयह फैलताहै तोबहुत तेजीसे फैलेगाऔर उनकोये सुविधाएंदेना जरूरीहै।
खासतौर से, उत्तरप्रदेशके बारेमें मेराएक अन्यसुझावहै। उत्तरप्रदेशमें छ: लोगइससे ग्रसितहुए हैं।मेरा निवेदनहै किउत्तरप्रदेशमें लखनऊएयरपोर्टपर भीथर्मलस्क्रीनिंगलगाई जाएऔर वहांपर वायरोलॉजीका एकसेंटरखोला जाए।साथ ही, हरेकमेडिकलकॉलेजमें ऐसासेंटरहोना चाहिए।मेरा सरकारसे यहीअनुरोधहै। धन्यवाद।
HON. CHAIRPERSON: I would again and again request all of you to be brief.
श्रीनामानागेश्वरराव (खम्माम): धन्यवाद, चेयरमैनसर।अभीऑनरेबलमिनिस्टरसाहबनेकाफीडिटेलकेसाथबतायाहैकिसेंट्रलगवर्नमेंटनेक्या-क्याएक्शन्सलिएहैंऔरकिसतरहसेइसकीमॉनीटरिंगकररहेहैं।उन्होंनेबहुतअच्छीतरहसेपूरेहाउसकोबतायाहैऔरहाउसकेथ्रूपूरेदेशकोबतादियाहै, उसकेलिएमैंसबसेपहलेऑनरेबलमिनिस्टरसाहबकोधन्यवाददेताहूं।आजवायरसकेबारेमेंमेराएकक्वेश्चनथा, उसकेबारेमेंएक्सटर्नलअफेयर्समिनिस्टरनेरिप्लाईदियाहै।
उसरिप्लाईमेंऔरमाननीयमंत्रीजीकेउत्तरमेंकुछडिफरेंसहै।जापान,यूएईमेंआलरेडीअफेक्टेडलोगहैं।उनलोगोंकोअभीतकइंडियामेंलेकरनहींआएहैं।माननीयमंत्रीजीउनअफेक्टेडलोगोंकेबारेमेंथोड़ाबतादें।
महोदय,इसकेसाथ-साथमेरेतीन-चारवेल्युएबलसुझावहैं।आपनेबीफ्रिंगमेंबतायाथाकिस्पेशलइक्विपमेंट्सऔरक्रिटिकलइक्विपमेंट्सकीरिक्वायरमेंटहै।मैंकेंद्रसरकारसेकहनाचाहताहूंकिसभीराज्योंकेलिएक्रिटिकलइक्विपमेंट्सऔरस्पेशलइक्विपमेंट्सइमिडिएटलीदेनेचाहिए।केंद्रसरकारकोराज्योंकेलिएकोरोनावायरसकीरोकथामकेलिएविशेषफंडरिलीजकरनाचाहिए।हमनेमीडियाद्वारादेखाहैकिवर्ल्डबैंक 12 बिलियनडॉलररिलीजकररहाहै।इसीतरहसैंट्रलगवर्नमेंटकोइसपर्टिकुलरवायरसकेलिएइमिडिएटलीफंडरिलीजकरनाचाहिए।माननीयसदस्याकनिमोझीजीनेबहुतअच्छाप्वायंटबतायाकितेलंगानामेंदिन-रातहमारेमुख्यमंत्रीइसवायरसकोकंट्रोलकरनेकेलिएकामकररहेहैं।तेलंगानामेंएकव्यक्तिइससेअफेक्टहुआहै।हमलोगकंट्रोलरूमबनाकरइसवायरसकीरोकथामकेलिएकाफीकुछकररहेहैं।
मेराएकऔरसुझावहैकिइसबीमारीकोआगेबढ़नेसेरोकनेकेलिएएक्सपर्टडाक्टर्सकीटीमकोलगादीजिए।
माननीयसभापति : आप अपनीबात समाप्तकीजिए।यदि कोईसुझावआ गयाहै, तोउसे रिपीटकरने कीजरूरतनहीं है।
श्रीअखिलेशयादव।
श्रीअखिलेशयादव:सभापतिजी, मैंआपको धन्यवाददेता हूंकि आपनेमुझे अपनीबात रखनेका मौकादिया है।मैं सभीमाननीयसदस्योंकी बातसे अपनेको जोड़ताहूं। माननीयमंत्रीजी नेबहुत तैयारीकी है।मैं आपकेमाध्यमसे सरकारसे कहूंगाकि सरकारप्रचारकरने मेंबहुत आगेहै। यहगंभीरबीमारीहै।…(व्यवधान)आपमेरीबातकोसुनलीजिए,आपकेकामकीहीमैंबातकररहाहूं।
महोदय,यहबीमारीदुनियाकेबादभारतमेंआईहै।हमउत्तरप्रदेशसेहैं,यहबीमारीआगरामेंफैलगईहै।मैंसरकारसेनिवेदनकरूंगाकिइसबीमारीकाइतनाप्रचारकरेकिलोगोंतकबातपहुंचजाएऔरइसबीमारीकोरोकाजासके।यहांसे,आपकीतरफसेऔरहमारीतरफसेऐसाकुछनजाए,जिससेलोगऔरडरनेलगें।वैसेभीसरकारबहुतडरातीहै।मंत्रीजीनेकईप्रकारकीतैयारियोंकीबातकहीहै।
माननीयसभापति : अखिलेशजी,आपसुझावदीजिए।
श्रीअखिलेशयादव:सभापतिजी, उत्तरप्रदेशमें स्वास्थ्यविभागकी हालतबहुत खराबहै। सरकारइस बीमारीके लिएअलग सेव्यवस्थाकरे। यदिइसकी अलगसे निगरानीनहीं कीजाएगी, तोयह बीमारीकंट्रोलमें नहींआएगी।अभी यहबीमारीहवाई जहाजसे आईहै, जहांस्क्रीनिंगकी व्यवस्थानहीं है, यदिइस परकंट्रोलनहीं कियागया औरयह बीमारीट्रेनद्वारागरीबोंके बीचआ गई, तोबहुत लोगोंकी जानचली जाएगी।
SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE (BARAMATI): Sir, I thank the hon. Minister for his absolute detailed reply. I would like to put on record about my State. I am grateful to the hon. External Affairs Minister, Dr. Jaishankar who has been very cooperative whenever we reached out to him to help some people from Iran. I would like to thank him on behalf of my State.
In the budget for the Health Ministry, monies which are allocated for epidemic is very abysmal. Could you increase that? I think all the States, including my State, need support in this regard. There are gaps with the availability of medication. Is this the time you could help the States?
In this regard, there are a lot of doctors on various channels; and there are articles written. You have taken four meetings, which is much appreciated by us. Could you do a daily briefing to the media so that there is only one story that goes out? In every channel some doctors saying something. We do not know whom to believe and whom not to believe. So, could you take one guideline and speak regularly so that we all can speak in one voice and follow what the Government gives us.
SHRI HASNAIN MASOODI (ANANTNAG): Sir, through you, I would like to invite the attention of the hon. Minister to the plight of 350 students from Kashmir who were stranded in Iran. I have taken up the matter with the Minister of External Affairs; I have met him twice. But nothing is being done; just a passing reference is made in the statement made by the hon. Minister. There are one thousand pilgrims from Kargil and 350 students from Iran who are stranded. They are confined in hostels and they do not have access to the eatables. The Government, it appears to me, is unmindful of the plight and no urgency is being shown at all.
Why should Kashmir be at a receiving end in every sector, be it political aspirations, be it good governance or be it the sovereign stand in Iran.
Having regard to sweeping due to the Coronavirus, Iran is next after China. I want to draw the attention of the Government that they should have taken steps during last ten days to evacuate and get back the students. In the clarification, I expect a statement from the hon. Minister that within a specific timeframe, the students would be called back.
SHRI JAYADEV GALLA (GUNTUR): Many of the hon. Members have already spoken about the health issues that are arising out of Coronavirus. My point is that the most important thing is the personal hygiene and habits for which the awareness needs to be taken across the country. Also, equally important, we are in the Budget Session, we need to understand the economic impact of this virus because people are expecting a global economic impact. Some people are saying that there could be a slowdown in the global GDP growth to 1 to 2 per cent. If that happens, India is not going to be exempt from that. When we are already looking at our GDP growth going below 5 per cent, because of this virus, it may come down to 3 per cent and if it comes down to 3 per cent, what will happen to our economy? This is the Budget Session, the focus needs to be on the economic impact of this virus on our country.
श्रीमतीनवनीतरविराणा(अमरावती) :माननीयसभापतिजी,मुझेलगताहैकिमंत्रीजीनेबहुतडिटेलमेंसमझायाहैऔरजिसतरीकेसेबाकीमाननीयसदस्योंनेबतायाहैकिटी.वी.परअलग-अलगप्रचारचलरहाहै।कोईबोलरहाहैकितापमान 30 डिग्रीहोगातोकोरोनावायरसखत्महोगायाकैसेहोगा।मैंबतानाचाहूंगीकिकलसेकईफोनआरहेहैंजोबाहरविदेशसेलोगयहांपरट्रेवलकररहेहैं, उन्हेंतोहमरोकरहेहैंपरंतुटूरएंडट्रैवलसेजिन्होंनेअपनी-अपनीट्रिप्सबुककीहैं, उनकेफोनआरहेहैंकिअगरहमेंअपनाटूरपोस्टपोनकरनाहैतोटूरट्रैवल्सकोअगरवेलैटरदेरहेहैंकिहमेंअपनीट्रिपपोस्टपोनकरनीहै, हमेंविदेशमेंनहींजानाहै, तोउसकेलिएमैंविदेशमंत्रीजीऔरहैल्थमिनिस्ट्रीसेरिक्वैस्टकरूंगीकिउनकेटूरट्रैवल्सकेंसिलनकरतेहुएजिससेनउनकानुकसानहोऔरनट्रैवलकरनेवालोंकानुकसानहो, उनकेलिएकुछसोचाजाएऔरविदेशमंत्रीजीकोएनाउंसकरनाचाहिएकिजबतकविदेशमंत्रीजीयहसूचितनकरेंकिअबपूरेविश्वमेंचिन्ताकरनेजैसीकोईभीबातनहींहै, अबआपट्रैवलकरसकतेहैं।हमारीहैल्थमिनिस्ट्रीनेकहाहैकिपिछलेचार-पांचदिनोंसेनोएडाकेदोस्कूलबंदकिएहुएहैं।इसकाकारणबतानाचाहिए।
ADV. A.M. ARIFF (ALAPPUZHA): Sir, I would like to mention the experience of Kerala. As far as Kerala is concerned, there were three persons infected with Coronavirus. They were coming from China. All the three reported cases were treated very well and they have been discharged from the hospital. It is well appreciated by the WHO and the Central Government. So, I request the Central Government to learn from the experience of Kerala and follow it everywhere in India.
SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER (PONNANI): The hon. Minister’s detailed statement on the preparedness about tackling the threat of Coronavirus is good. As correctly pointed out by the other hon. Members, I also emphasise the need for improving the testing facilities at the airports itself. Similarly, awareness creation is also very important in this case.
SHRI N. K. PREMACHANDRAN (KOLLAM): Sir, I have three suggestions regarding tackling Coronavirus. The first suggestion is regarding the test of Coronavirus. There are two ways to detect a virus, one is through the genetic material, DNA or RNA, and second is to detect the protein of the virus. The rapid test is to detect the protein. As Kanimozhi ji has stated, it is quite unfortunate to state that we have only one institute to check the virus, the National Institute of Virology. We have virology institute in the State of Kerala in Alleppey which has to be strengthened and empowered.
I am getting so many telephone calls from the people from Kuwait. Those who are coming from Kuwait are not able to travel because they have to submit a certificate that they are not infected with the Coronavirus. So, I seek the intervention of the Ministry of External Affairs so as to resolve that problem. That is number one point.
Secondly, as Arif Ji and Mohammad Basheer Ji have stated, in Kerala we had three confirmed cases and 2,400 suspected cases. How were they managed? I want to share our experience with the hon. Minister. All the 2,400 suspected cases were isolated in their respective homes, not in a public place. Decentralised management with the help of the local bodies is required. There is no treatment for this. It can only be managed. Proper management at the decentralised level with the help of the local bodies is needed. So, the local bodies have to be taken into confidence so as to address this issue. Also, the Gram Panchayats and the local bodies should be provided assistance. Thank you.
श्रीहनुमानबैनिवाल(नागौर):सभापतिमहोदय, ‘कोरोनावायरस’कीवजहसेपूरेदेशकेअंदरखौफहै।मैंस्वास्थ्यमंत्रीजोकोधन्यवाददूंगा। ‘कोरोनावायरस’सेपूरेविश्वकेलोगबहुतडरगएहैं,हरजगह ‘कोरोना’-‘कोरोना’कीआवाजसुनाईदेरहीहै।हिन्दुस्तानकेअंदरऐसालगरहाथाकिइससेबड़ानुकसानहोगा,लेकिनमंत्रीजीऔरहमारीसरकारनेइसपरनियंत्रणपालिया।
सभापतिमहोदय,मैंएकमिनटमेंअपनीबातसमाप्तकरूंगा।यहां ‘कोरोनावायरस’के 29 मरीज हैं। ‘कोरोनावायरस’केमरीजज्यादातरइटलीसेआएहैं।इसमेंमैंएकहीबातकहनाचाहताहूं।अधीररंजनजीनेबोलाथाकिसबसेपहलेराहुलजीनेपूछा, तो…* माननीयसभापति : नो।
…( व्यवधान)
श्रीहनुमानबैनिवाल : सभापति महोदय, …*…(व्यवधान)
12.56 ½ hrs (At this stage Shri Gaurav Gogoi and some other hon.
Members came and stood on the floor near the Table.) माननीयसभापति : नो, यहकार्यवाहीमेंनहींजाएगा।इसेकार्यवाहीसेनिकालदियागयाहै।
…( व्यवधान)
श्रीहनुमानबैनिवाल : सभापतिमहोदय,…* …(व्यवधान)
माननीयसभापति : हनुमानजी, आपक्या कररहे हैं?
…( व्यवधान)
माननीयसभापति : सभा कीकार्यवाहीदो बजेतक केलिए स्थगितकी जातीहै।
12.57 hrs The Lok Sabha then adjourned till Fourteen of the Clock.
_______ 14.00 hrs The Lok Sabha reassembled at Fourteen of the Clock.
(Shrimati Rama Devi in the Chair) …( व्यवधान)
MATTERS UNDER RULE 377* माननीयसभापति: नियम 377 के अधीनमामलोंकोसभापटलपररखनेकीअनुमतिप्रदानकीजातीहै,माननीयसदस्यनियम 377 के अधीनमामलेसभापटलपरदेदें।
…( व्यवधान)