'Give 20 lakh doses immediately to complete second dose!', Rajesh Tope demands to Union Health Minister

The Central Government should formulate a national policy for importing vaccines from abroad, increase the quota for injection of black fungus (Mucormycosis) disease for Maharashtra and reduce the MRP on this drug, citizens of the state should be given 20 lakh doses of vaccine immediately to complete the second dose, State Health Minister Rajesh Tope informed on Thursday that such demands and suggestions have been made to the Union Health Minister. Noting that the situation in Maharashtra is improving, Tope said that the Union Health Minister appreciated it.

The Union Health Minister interacted with the Health Ministers of six states, including Maharashtra, through the video-conferencing. Informing the media about it, Tope said the meeting focused on vaccination. The state wants to give a second dose of vaccine to at least 20 to 22 lakh citizens. Its information is also available on the portal of the Central Government. He also suggested that proper planning should be done to meet it.

'Develop a national policy for vaccine imports’

- States will benefit if a national policy is formulated at the national level to import vaccines from abroad. Global tenders are currently being drawn up from other states. States are being offered different rates by foreign vaccine manufacturers. Therefore, the central government should formulate a national policy without competition among the states.

- There is a need to create awareness among the citizens about the black fungus disease, for which the state government will undertake a campaign. The Central Government should participate in it and launch an awareness campaign.

- The Government of Maharashtra has issued a global tender for the purchase of Remdesivir Injection and ordered to supply 3 lakh vials to six companies. However, these six companies, despite having stocks, cannot supply without the approval of DCGI. Therefore, this approval should be given immediately.

 - While the situation in the state is under control, there is a need to be more vigilant as the number of patients is increasing in some districts like Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, Beed.