Shimla, June 27 (IANS) The central government has provided 500 ventilators to Himachal Pradesh free of cost to fight the coronavirus pandemic, according to an official, here on Saturday.

"Acceding to our request, we have been provided 500 ventilators by the central government, which is a matter of relief for the people of the state," an official statement, quoting Additional Chief Secretary (Health) R.D. Dhiman, said.

He said 178 were transport ventilators and the rest intensive care unit ventilators.

Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur had expressed concern over ventilators' shortage during a meeting through video link with the Prime Minister and the Union Health Minister.

The new ventilators are being installed at medical colleges, district hospitals and other Covid-related health centres. Medical staff is being trained to operate these ventilators.

These would add to the efforts of the Health Department for treatment of coronavirus patients, Dhiman added.

--IANS vg/pcj