MLA Khashim inaugurates PSA oxygen plant at Somdal
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang
Ukhrul, October 07 2021:
Chingai MLA Khashim Vashum on Thursday inaugurated a newly-installed PSA oxygen plant with 500 LPM capacity at Community Health Centre (CHC), Somdal under LM block in Ukhrul district's western region.
The oxygen plant has been set up under the Prime Minister's cares fund at a cost of Rs 84 lakh by Manipur Police Housing Construction Limited.
Speaking on the occasion, MLA Khashim informed that he brought this life saver 500 capacity oxygen plant considering the difficulties faced by the residents under LM block, especially in times of the pandemic.
He also acknowledged the support of Ukhrul DC and CMO in fulfilling the project.
"I salute frontline workers especially the district administration, district health workers, all rank and file of police department, CSOs for the relentless public services they all had rendered during the course of public health crisis, he continued.
He also recalled the humanitarian services provided by the frontline workers during the first and second wave of the Covid pandemic.
Largely known as a man of action, Khashim said that "promising people what I cannot accomplish is not my principle.
Work more, and talk less is my principle" .
Stating that health sector is one of his top priorities, Khashim assured "to complete the CHC, Somdal building before the completion of his tenure, while urging Somdal villagers to handle the plant with care and streamline the benefits.
Meanwhile, Assistant Commisioner Kachamthai Gangmei who is also the SDO of Jessami block stated that he never thought that Covid pandemic would made inroad into our place thus far within a short span of time.
Gangmei who attended as the guest of honour thanked MLA Khashim for his dedicated support.
He said Chingai AC reported around 10,000 returnees and had a tough time however through Khashim they were able to put every returnee in the quarantine centres.
Addressing the public, chief medical officer of district hospital Ukhrul, Dr Kapangring, who attended as the presiding guest, exuded confidence that the newly inaugurated oxygen plant at CHC Somdal would greatly benefit the block people.
"This is a blessing for Somdal village and area people" .
He thanked MLA Khashim for making available one ambulance for CHC Somdal.
Elaborating on Covid-19 scenario of the district, he said that positive cases have reduced with total active tally at 75 .
Informing that out of the total 87,633 eligible population of the district, only 20,786 have taken the first jab, the CMO appealed to the district populace to get the Covid jab before it is too late as the third wave is looming.
"If third wave worsens, people who don't take jab would be the worst affected.
Getting the jab would ensure better protection and safety.
However, the choice is yours, we don't force anyone to take the ja"b.Health workers do not force anyone, the choice is purely theirs.
All I can say is that it gives better protection to people who have taken the jab than those who have had not.
People fear to get Covid jab thinking that it would adversely affect their health, what would happen to us after post vaccination.
If people died of vaccination, health workers would be the first casualty as we had already injected the vaccine well ahead of the public, he said and urged people not to fear the jab.
He further stated that if people don't believe Covid vaccine, they should also stop trusting other vaccines.
After due research, the vaccine was introduced in the public domain as a preventive measure against the dreaded virus.
The programme was attended by SDO Jessami Kachamthai Faiga Gagmei, CMO Ukhrul district hospital Dr Kapangring, DIO Ukhrul, former ADC member Than-chipem Jagoi, Khayinghor, Chalou and Poi village headman, well-wishers and villagers among others.
Community Health Centre, Somdal foundation stone was laid in 2018 by minister Jayantakumar Singh, Health and Family Welfare minister in the presence of 45-Chingai MLA Khashim Vashum.
Speaking at the sidelines of the inauguration programme, Dr H Thotnimla, medical officer, CHC Somdal said that including her there are nine staff in the centre.
She said the centre had OPD, inpatient services, emergencies services, maternal and child services and laboratory services besides other facilities.
One resident of Somdal said that the health centre currently has two doctors, and added that the two young lady doctors have been dutifully carrying out their duty.
Delivering vote of thanks Dr Thotnimla expressed her special gratitude to PM Modi, CM Biren, and MLA Khashim, district administration, CMO and villagers for making this PSG oxygen inauguration a successful one.
She said right from the start till the final instalment of the oxygen plant, MLA Khashim Vashum had extended immense helping hands.
Later, the MLA took to social media and wrote on his Facebook page: "With immense satisfaction, along with ADC Kachamthei and District CMO Dr Kapangring, today I had an honour to inaugurate the PSA Oxygen plant at Somdal CHC.
In what will be a significant relief to plenty of emergency cases in the area, the said plant has also filled a huge vacuum created by the pandemic in our healthcare system.
Pushing for more such projects in the days to come" .