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Mahesh

19/12/22 08:20 AM IST

Need a national policy to combat viral and other diseases with pandemic potential

In News
  • According to a parliamentary committee report, a national policy to combat viral and other such diseases which have a pandemic potential is the need of the hour.
Major findings of the report
  • The document titled Covid-19 Pandemic: Global Response, India’s Contributions and the Way Forward
  • The importance of regular surveillance measures, keeping in mind how quickly the SARS-CoV-2 virus mutates.
  • So far, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has conducted four sero surveys at the national level.
  • Sero surveys should continue on a regular basis, state-wise, with an increased sample size.
  • The importance of keeping information/results of such surveys easily accessible is to spread awareness and modify behaviours to prevent community transmission of the virus.
Concerns raised in the report
  • Poor implementation of the One Nation One Ration Card scheme among migrant workers.
  • Poor implementation of the Aatmanirbhar Skilled Employee Employer Mapping (ASEEM) and the Skilled Workers Arrival Database for Employment Support.
  • The Ministries of skill development, external affairs and civil aviation launched the two schemes to create a database of the skilled workforce returning to the country under the Vande Bharat Mission.
  • Of the 7,16,662 workers who have returned from Gulf countries due to the COVID-19 pandemic, job connect has been established with only 7495 candidates.
  • Lack of financial literacy and awareness about various schemes are creating hurdles.
  • Digital divide
Way forward
  • Mechanisms should be chalked out to bridge the digital divide and keep us ready for handling any such situation in future and disseminate online learning through private channels besides the DD channel.
  • A national policy to combat viral and other such diseases which have pandemic potential.
  • Review more comprehensive interventions in the outreach programme of ASEEM.
Source- DTE

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