Konchak mooted for COVID Care Centre
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 14 2020:
Ex-Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar has urged the State Government to develop a COVID care facility on war-footing at the site already acquired by the Government for construction of a district hospital.
Speaking to media persons at the district hospital site located at Konchak Makha Leikai, Mayang Imphal which has been already fenced, Dr Ratankumar pointed out that all the people of the State are deeply worried as more than 500 people have been tested positive for COVID-19.Noting that the State Government has been facing several difficulties including shortage of accommodation and treatment centres for COVID-19 patients, the ex-Minister asserted that the Government's step of converting schools and colleges as quarantine centres cannot continue for long.
As students cannot be denied formal education for long, the Government would be compelled to shift quarantine centres from colleges and schools after sometime.
As such, the Government needs to devise a long term policy and focus on health care facilities on priority basis in both the hills and the valley.
Noting that a COVID care centre has been already commissioned at UNACCO School, Meitram as RIMS and JNIMS alone could not handle the rapid surge in positive cases, Dr Ratankumar said that the Government needs to device a long term policy as the COVID-19 crisis is unlikely to be resolved any time soon.
There is a growing need to enhance the State's health care infrastructure in addition to ensuring preparedness of doctors, nurses and other staff, he said.
He pointed out that the then Chief Minister O Ibobi laid foundation for a district hospital at Konchak Makha Leikai on October 10, 2011 after acquiring seven acres of land.
However, the Government is yet to start construction of the hospital's main building.
Had the incumbent Government which is now more than three years old worked on the district hospital on priority basis, the hospital could have been a very convenient alternative arrangement in this hour of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Ratankumar rued.
The Government can still develop the district hospital on war footing and use it as a COVID care facility, he asserted.