Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya said that mutual understanding, sharing of best practices and collaborative spirit have helped in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. The Health Minister on Friday reviewed public health preparedness to COVID-19 and progress of National COVID-19 Vaccination with eight Southern States and Union Territories. The review meeting was held with the State Health Ministers and officials of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.<br />''<br />''During the meeting, Dr. Mandaviya applauded synergy between the Centre and States for COVID management. He reiterated focus on five-fold strategy of Test, Track, Treat, Vaccinate and Adherence to COVID Appropriate Behaviour against COVID-19.<br />''Highlighting India's remarkable vaccination coverage, the Union Health Minister said that India's COVID-19 vaccination drive is a global success story, especially for such a populous country like ours. On the role of tele-consultation and tele-medicine, Dr Mandaviya advised the States to focus on ramping up opening of more tele-consultation centres.<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">He said, the tele-consultation centres will help not only during COVID pandemic but also for non-COVID medical care. He further advised the States and Union Territories to expediate the utilization of the approved funds for creating health infrastructure under the India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Package-II.</span><br />