(PM Narendra Modi launches ‘Customized Crash Course programme for Covid Frontline workers’ through VC in New Delhi)
Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 18, 2021, launched ‘Customised Crash Course programme for Covid-19 Frontline workers’ via video conferencing (VC). The training programme would be conducted at 111 training centres spread over 26 states. About one lakh frontline workers will be trained under this initiative. Union Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey, and many other Union Ministers, Ministers from States, experts and other stakeholders were also present on the occasion.
Addressing the event, the Prime Minister said that this launch is an important next step in the fight against Corona. He cautioned that the virus is still present and possibility of mutation is also there. The second wave of the pandemic illustrated the kind of challenges that the virus may present to us. The country needs to stay prepared to meet the challenges and training more than one lakh frontline warriors is a step in that direction, PM Modi said, according to a PIB release.
The Prime Minister stated that the pandemic has tested the strength of every country, institution, society, family, and person of the world. At the same time, this alerted us to expand our capabilities as science, government, society, institution or individuals. India took up this challenge and status of PPE kits, testing and other medical infrastructure related to covid care and treatment bears testimony to the efforts.
Modi pointed out that far-flung hospitals are being provided with ventilators and oxygen concentrators. More than 1,500 oxygen plants are being established on war footing. Amidst all these efforts, skilled manpower is critical. For this and to support the current force of corona warriors, one lakh youth is being trained. This training should be over in two-three months, he said.
The PM informed that the top experts of the country have designed the six courses launched on June 18, 2021, as per demands of the states and union territories. The training will be imparted to Covid warriors in six customised job roles namely Home Care Support, Basic Care Support, Advanced Care Support, Emergency Care Support, Sample Collection Support, and Medical Equipment Support. This will include fresh skilling as well as upskilling of those who have some training in this type of work. This campaign will also provide job opportunities to our youth.
The PM said that the Corona period has proved how important the mantra of skill, re-skill, and up-skill, is. He said the Skill India Mission was started separately for the first time in the country, a Skill Development Ministry was created and the Prime Minister’s Skill Development Centers were opened across the country. Since last year the Ministry of Skill Development has trained lakhs of health workers across the country.
Modi said given the size of our population, it is necessary to keep increasing the number of doctors, nurses and paramedics in the health sector. Work has been done with a focused approach over the last 7 years to start new AIIMS, new medical colleges, and new nursing colleges. He said that health professionals like ASHA workers, ANM, Anganwadi, and health workers deployed in the dispensaries in the villages are one of the strong pillars of our health sector but are often left out of the discussion.
The PM said that the people below 45 years of age will get the same treatment in vaccination as the people above 45 years of age from June 21, 2021 The Union Government is committed to give free vaccines to every citizen while following corona protocol.