Naveen Patnaik writes to all CMs, pitches for COVID vaccine procurement by Centre
The Odisha CM has referred to as for a consensus amongst all States on common vaccination programme
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has referred to as for a consensus amongst all States on common vaccination programme.
In a letter to all Chief Ministers, and private calls to a couple of of them, he expressed grave concern on the prevailing COVID-19 scenario and urged that the Centre ought to procure vaccines and distribute them.
“After the second wave, people are very scared about future waves and variants. Every citizen in India has been affected by this pandemic in one way or the other. It could be losing a loved one or losing a job or loss in business or just the mental trauma because of the present situation. None has been spared by this pandemic,” stated the five-time Chief Minister.
“The only way to protect our people against future waves and provide them with a hope of survival is vaccination. Countries which have focused on vaccination programme have seen remarkable improvement in their COVID-19 situation. We have to provide this healing touch to our people,” he stated.
After the Union Government introduced the Phase-3 of the vaccine coverage, permitting vaccination of these above 18 years and procurement by State governments and the personal sector, there was nice demand for vaccines, the letter says.
Many States floated international tenders for vaccine procurement. “However, it is quite clear that the global vaccine manufacturers are looking forward to the Union government for the clearances and assurances. They are unwilling to get into supply contracts with the State governments, while the domestic vaccine manufacturers are having supply constraints and are not able to commit required supplies.”
No State was protected except all the States adopted vaccination as a prime precedence and executed it on war-footing. “This cannot be a battle among the States to procure vaccines.”
Under the circumstances, he stated, “the best option available is for the Government of India to centrally procure the vaccines and distribute among the States so that our citizens are vaccinated at the earliest”.
Mr. Patnaik additionally urged decentralisation of the vaccination programme. “States should be allowed the flexibility to determine their own mechanism to ensure universal vaccination,” he stated. Internet was inaccessible in lots of hilly areas and due to this fact on-line registration had to be versatile. Some susceptible tribes might be given vaccines on precedence.
After the Independent wrestle, this was maybe the best problem the nation had confronted. “I am sure that we will set aside whatever differences we have, either political or otherwise, and come together in the true spirit of cooperative federalism for saving precious lives and hard-earned livelihoods,” he stated.