CMHT to cover COVID-19 treatment, announces Chief Minister
Govt set to finally issue fresh SOP to combat COVID-19
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, October 30 2020: Besides concerted efforts being taken up to increase the bed capacities at RIMS, JNIMS, Shija and district hospitals, Chief Minister-gi Hakshelgi Tengbang scheme will soon cover treatment of COVID-19 patients.

In addition, the State will soon release a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) which recognises the role and involvement of CSOs, local clubs and other stakeholders, said Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

N Biren Singh made the statements at the CM's Secretariat today during a function organised by the Health Department.

The Chief Minister distributed banners and pamphlets on Covid appropriate behaviour to various societies and associations including the Manipur State Transport, Transporters Drivers Council, Interstate Bus Association, Auto-rickshaws, Magic and Wingers Association, District Transport Officers, Anganwadi workers, farmers, ASHA workers, ANM workers and labourers.

CMHT to cover COVID-19 treatment, announces Chief Minister

The pamphlets contain awareness on Covid Appropriate Behaviours like the need for wearing face masks, frequent hand washing and maintaining physical distance to avoid coronavirus infection.

N Biren Singh while addressing the media said that a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), taking into considerations the role to be played by CSOs, local clubs and other stakeholders, will be issued for implementation and appealed to the people of the State to strictly comply with the SOP so that "we could collectively work together and defeat COVID-19" .

He further stated that obeying the SOPs would be the only means to combat this pandemic.

He added that a new office with a toll free number will be opened soon, with the involvement of local clubs, civil society organisations, and ASHA workers among others, to give mass awareness to individuals residing in every nook and corner of the State.

The Chief Minister also maintained that a new way of fighting the pandemic has become necessary with the involvement of each and every citizen of the State as prevention from the pandemic depends much on the behaviour of each individual.

Treatment of COVID-19 is covered under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, said the Chief Minister and added that the State Government would also soon approve such coverage of treatment under the Chief Minister-gi Hakshelgi Tengbang (CMHT).

In order to motivate the frontline workers to provide their valuable services at the same pace, they would be covered with a life insurance scheme till 2021, he added.

Informing the media about the expenditure made by the State Government on COVID-19, the Chief Minister said that a total of around Rs 62 crore has been spent so far including Rs 26.68 crore in Quarantine Centres, Rs 3.39 crore on medical equipment, Rs 2.59 crore on COVID testing machines and kits, Rs 5.33 crore on Covid Care Centres, Rs 2.53 crore on ambulance, Rs 3.46 crore on police, transport and Manipur Bhavan and Rs 19 crore from Chief Minister's COVID-19 Relief Fund on relief measures given to migrants.

N Biren Singh also maintained that his Government has been taking up concerted steps to increase the number of COVID beds in hospitals.

40 more beds will be added at RIMS and JNIMS each to their present capacities while 50 beds have been set up at Shija Hospital and another 36 will be ready within a month.

The Government is also taking up steps to increase the number of beds at district level to ensure necessary treatment of COVID-19 patients in the districts, he added.

During the programme, the Chief Minister led all the others present at the venue in taking a pledge to fight COVID-19 .

Advisor to Chief Minister (Health), Dr Sapam Rajan Singh, Principal Secretary (Health & Family Welfare), V Vumlunmang, officials of different departments, Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, ANM workers and representatives of drivers' associations among others attended the programme.

It may be mentioned that the banners and pamphlets were distributed considering the need of giving awareness and mass involvement of every individual of the State in successfully fighting the deadly virus.