Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday directed officials concerned to be prepared to meet any challenge, if need be, by preparing the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to treat Covid-19 cases at village clinics with facilities to test and treat the new sub-variant of the virus.

An official release from the CMO said Reddy held a review meeting on the challenges of the new sub-variant BF.7, construction of teaching hospitals and village clinics.

He instructed the health department to fill the existing vacancies of doctors and paramedical posts by January 26, 2023 besides providing accommodation and other necessary facilities to staff members working in the department in agency areas.

The Chief Minister asked the officials to complete the construction of village clinics also by January 26 and provide video conferencing facilities to all teaching hospitals and primary health centres.

Reddy insisted that construction work of all medical colleges, including the one proposed at Parvatipuram, begin by January 26 while procuring sufficient number of emergency service vehicles. He said the Aarogyasri referral application should be made available to everyone.

When the officials informed him that no case of BF.7 was reported in the state so far, he instructed officials to find out the preparedness of all government hospitals in meeting the challenge before January 5.

Once the government hospitals are ready, private hospitals should be asked to prepare for the emerging challenge of the variant, the release said.

Village clinics, working under the direct control of PHCs, should take complete responsibility of the village concerned, he said, suggesting that all suspect cases should be thoroughly tested and necessary treatment be provided wherever necessary.

Health Minister Vidadala Rajani, Chief Secretary K S Jawahar Reddy and Principal Secretary (Medical and Health) M T Krishna Babu, among other officials participated in the meeting.?