Enough stock of medical oxygen: CM
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, April 24 2021: Amid the fear of shortage of medical oxygen in some States, Chief MinisterN Biren Singh has informed that Manipur has enough stock of medical oxygen.

The Chief Minister was distributing 15 Basic Life Support Ambulances to Chief Medical Officers at the western gate of his Secretariat today when he informed about the stock position of medical oxygen.

Speaking at the occasion, he said the State currently has 1,098 D-Type cylinders, 242 oxygen concentrator machines and 90 ventilators.

In addition to the existing three oxygen generating units, the Government has given permission for oxygen production to Shija Hospitals as well, he said.

Stating that the State has enough stock of Remdesivir medicine as well, N Biren said that another 1,000 vials would arrive on April 25.He further informed that JNIMS currently has 100 Covid beds while RIMS has 52 beds.

In addition to this, he said, all the district hospitals and different private hospitals also have dedicated Covid beds.

Maintaining that self-discipline is the only means to get rid of the pandemic, N Biren then made an earnest appeal to the people of the State to have a sense of responsibility and strictly follow COVID-19 Appropriate Behaviours considering the severity of the pandemic in its second wave.

He also appreciated Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and the National Highways Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) for providing the 15 ambulances.

The NHIDCL has been doing tremendous road infrastructure development works in the State in the past few years, he added.

It may be noted here that while one ambulance each was given to Kakching CHC (Community Health Centre), Ukhrul District Hospital, Thanlon PHC (Primary Health Centre) and Haochong PHC, the remaining ambulances are being kept with the Directorate of Health Services at its headquarters for further distribution to other district hospitals in case of exigency.

Talking about the COVID-19, he said the State used to face many issues due to lack of ambulance at many healthcare centres in different districts at the beginning of the pandemic.

However, swift purchase of 14 new ambulances by the State Government significantly helped the State effectively tackle the pandemic.

Informing all districts have ambulances now, the Chief Minister said that the State has a total of 12 Advanced Life Saving Ambulances and 14 Basic Life Saving Ambulances excluding those donated by the NHIDCL today.

Additional ambulances are being kept for monitoring home isolation patients as well, he said and added that the Government is considering to provide more ambulances to the districts from time to time when the need arises.

Advisor to Chief Minister (Health) Dr Sapam Ranjan, MLA M Rameshwor, principal Secretary (Health) V Vumlunmang, Director (Health) Dr K Rajo and NHIDCL General manager Col Sanjay Kumar were present at the occasion.

Lalthari Hmar, Additional Director (Medical Care) Directorate of Health Services, who also attended the event thanked Principal Secretary Health and said under the latter's guidance, the Medical Department has achieved 'new vigour and vitality' .

He also thanked the Chief Minister for his support.

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