Bengaluru: The state government will be purchasing 2 crore doses of vaccines against the Covid pandemic by floating global tenders, deputy chief minister and Covid Task Force chief Dr. C N Ashwath Narayan announced here on Tuesday, May 11.
The DCM further stated that the state government has already placed orders for 3 crore doses of vaccines. Briefing reporters after the meeting, the deputy chief minister said the state government was depending only on the supplies by the Centre so far and not purchasing in the open market.
“We have now decided to invite the tenders. Any company can participate in the tenders. We want to complete the process within seven days and ensure that the successful company starts delivery of the vaccines,’’ he said.
Further, he said that since there will be sufficient quantities of vaccines in cities, people need not go to villages to get vaccinated. He also informed that 1 lac pulse oximeters will be purchased by the Covid Task Force soon. They are also working to supply the tablets essential for Covid treatment.
Ashwath Narayan made it clear that Covid infected patients must be subjected to a physical examination before admission in private hospitals to ensure that patients in critical conditions are able to get beds. Directions in this regard are being issued to all officials, he said.
He also spoke to chief secretary P Ravikumar and directed that strict action must be taken against companies that have failed to deliver the required quantities of Remdesivir anti-viral drugs despite the issuance of notice.
