How much has Assam spent on COVID-19? Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reveals exact figure

GUWAHATI: Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has revealed that the State government and National Health Mission, Assam have spent Rs 1,032.49 crore for various expenses related to COVID-19 in Assam so far. 

In a written reply at the Assem Assembly yesterday, Sarma stated that an amount of Rs 513.61 crore has been released to various districts for the "upgrade of existing hospitals, maintaining screening and quarantine centres, including institutional and home stay, ensuring home quarantine, etc."

Mr. Sarma also added that a sum of Rs 4.15 crore has been released to various medical colleges for expenditures related to COVID-19 management.

Additionally, the NHM has released Rs 172 crore for incurring various expenditures on COVID-19 related testing, including those in private labs. For procuring life-saving drugs and other personnel protection equipment Rs 76.20 crore has been spent. Rs. 47 crore has been spent for procuring various infrastructural equipment like ventilators, ICU beds, etc.

Sarma also informed that the transportation of both patients and stranded people has cost the Government Rs 44 crore and Rs 3.60 crore has been spent on information education campaign activities related to the pandemic.

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An amount of Rs 7.03 crore has been spent on the engagement of additional human resources, training and quarantine stay of frontline workers, while Rs 2.11 crore has been spent on administrative expenses.

The NHM has also released Rs 160.88 crore as direct benefit transfer or financial assistance to the needy people, including those stranded abroad during the lockdown.

The Health Minister also informed that a total of 1,357 people had died with COVID-19 during that period, out of which 1,037 deaths have been attributed to the corona by the COVID-19 Death Audit Board.

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