The programme includes fresh skilling as well as upskilling of those who have some training

One lakh youth will be trained under a Customized Crash Course programme for Covid-19 frontline workers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched
six customized courses from 111 centres in 26 states on Friday.

The courses launched today have been designed by top experts as per demands of the states and union territories.

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, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said.

This will include fresh skilling as well as upskilling of those who have some training in this type of work.

Describing the launch as an important next step in the fight against Covid-19, the Prime Minister cautioned that the virus is 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," said the Prime Minister.

According to PM Modi, 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, he said.

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, the Prime Minister pointed out. More than 1500 oxygen plants were being established, he added.

The Prime Minister said that health professionals like ASHA workers, ANM, Anganwadi and health workers in the villages for their support to the world's largest vaccination campaign.

He said their role is huge in preventing the spread of infection in villages in remote areas and in hilly and tribal areas.