First solar powered freezer installed at Sekmai
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 02 2011:
For the first time in the state, a solar powered freezer has been installed at Sekmai.
The main objective of the installation of the freezer is to save various kinds of vaccines and medicines which need to be stored at certain fixed temperatures.
The state has been facing huge losses of vaccines like pulse polio, TB, Tetanus, procured from outside the state for immunization programmes as these items need to be stored at certain temperature.
The solar powered freezer costing ' 2.60 lakh was supplied by UNICEF to the state Health and Family Welfare Department.
The freezer arrived at Imphal from the UK in December.
With the opening of the solar powered freezer today, losses can be saved to a certain extent, Health and Family Welfare Minister, L Jayentakumar said addressing the inaugural function of the installation of the freezer held today at Sekmai Community Health Centre.
MLA N Borajao presided the function in which Vulhunmang, commissioner (health and family welfare) and director PK Jha attended as guests of honour.
Jayentakumar said healthcare centres across the state face utmost difficulties in storing vaccines meant for immunization programmes as these centre do not get regular power supply.
Government has a plan to install such freezers in nine more healthcare centres at Sagolmang in Imphal east, Kumbi in Bishnupur district, Sugnu in Thoubal district, Kasom Khullen in Ukhrul district and Somtal in Chandel district, Maram and Kangpokpi in Senapati district.
Priority is being given to these nine healthcare centres considering the remoteness and power supply conditions in the said areas.
Talking on the existing healthcare delivery system in the state, the minister asserted that many CHC, PHC and PHSC in remote corners are lacking infrastructures apart from shortage of manpower.
Even though doctors and staff are posted in these centres they could not remain at their stations due to repeated threats posed by anti-social elements.
Healthcare delivery system, road communication, and the education sector in the state is not satisfactory.
He said, government has a lot to do to improve in these sectors.
The efforts also need the people's support, he asserted.