Dists empowered to engage doctors, nurses on contract basis
CM visits hill dists to take stock of Covid situation
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, May 24 2021: Chief Minister N Biren Singh today visited Ukhrul, Senapati and Tamenglong districts by helicopter to take stock of COVID-19 situation there.

He was accompanied by Advisor to CM (Health) Dr S Ranjan, Principal Secretary (Health) V Vumlunmang and Secretary to CM N Geoffrey.

He started from Kangla helipad at around 10.30 am and landed at Ukhrul at around 11 am.

At Mini Secretariat complex of the district, he reviewed the measures taken up in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts.

Speaking at the review meeting, N Biren Singh said that TK Woodland tourist resort located at Shirui would be converted into a 75-bedded Covid Hospital having 10 ventilators.

Advocating the slogan, 'Early Detection, Early Treatment', he urged the people not to panic and immediately report and get tested at the nearest centre if they experience any symptom as it can be cured in just 14 days.

He said that the Government is putting in its best efforts to save precious lives in every nook and corner of the State.

The Government, in its effort, has ensured that one oxygen plant in every district will be established very soon, he said.

The Chief Minister further stated that three ambulances each for every district are in the pipeline.

CM visits hill dists to take stock of Covid situation :: Pix - DIPR

The Health Department, in consultation with the concerned Deputy Commissioners, had been empowered to engage required doctors, nurses and other staff on contract basis if required.

He also appreciated the collective efforts of the people of Ukhrul and Kamjong districts, CSOs and medical staff to tackle COVID 19 pandemic.

The State Government has arranged adequate RAT testing kits and will supply the same to the districts immediately, he added.

The State Government has taken several steps to ensure adequate oxygen supply.

He also advised the District Administration and CMOs to send empty cylinders immediately for refilling.

The State Government had approved a 1000 LPM PSA Oxygen Generator Plant for Ukhrul through Tribal Affairs and Hill Department.

Site has been identified at District Hospital and work will start soon, he said and added that three more ambulances would also be provided through Tribal Affairs Department.

Later, the Chief Minister visited a Covid Care Centre and encouraged the patients to be confident to defeat the virus.

Ukhrul CMO Dr AS Kapangring, in his presentation stated that the total number of persons vaccinated in the district is 10,656 which comprise health workers, frontline workers and common people.

The cumulative number of positive cases is 342 out of which 115 are active now and 216 have recovered, 18 were referred to JNIMS and 9 deaths.

The Transit Hostel which has a capacity of 120 beds and Isolation Ward at Ukhrul District Hospital are utilized as Covid Care Centres.

Hill Area Committee Chairman K.Leishiyo, MLAs Kanngam Alfred Arthur and Khashim Vashum, DCs, SPs, DLOs and CSO leaders also attended the meeting.

From there, the Chief Minister and his team left for Senapati.

In the review meeting held there, the Chief Minister assured that people can overcome the pandemic with early detection and early medication.

It is the only way overcome it, he pointed out.

N Biren Singh said that house to house inspection would be done to check whether people in home isolation have required amenities like separate rooms and toilets.

The Chief Minister assured to send required oxygen to all parts of the State.

He said that an oxygen plant having a capacity of producing 200 cylinders per day would be set up in the district soon.

Three more ambulances would be provided soon.

10 oxygen concentrators were also handed over to the Chief Medical Officer of the district.

The Chief Minister also sought the cooperation of all to follow the SOPs.

He also asked the DC and CMO to engage required doctors from among eligible candidates.

Later, he also interacted with doctors in the district Covid ward and some Covid patients at the isolation ward.

DC Senapati said that 246-bedded Covid Care Centre had been set up in the district.

Isolation Ward at District Hospital would be increased from 15 beds to 37 beds, including 10 ICU beds.

More ventilators and ICU Monitor will be provided, he added.

The Chief Minister appreciated the plan to set up Covid OT for maternity deliveries and the identification of teams for Village Task Force.

N Biren Singh assured that three more ambulances would be provided through Tribal Affaires & Hills Department.

Also, a 1000 LPM PSA oxygen plan has been approved for Senapati.

Public Health Engineering Minister L Dikho called the CM's visit to the district as a very important one.

While lauding the District Administration and frontline workers for their dedicated service, the Minister who is also the district in-charge expressed gratitude to all those in the medical profession for their commitment and dedication.

He said that the three MLAs of the district are also doing their best with whatever resources they have for the welfare of the people.

From Senapati, the Chief Minister and his team proceeded to Tamenglong in the same helicopter.

The Chief Minister interacted with the COVID-19 District Task Force Committee, CSO and NGO leaders and reviewed the COVID-19 situation at DC Bungalow.

As vaccination is very important mobile mass vaccination program would start very soon to combat the pandemic, the Chief Minister said.

An oxygen plant with a capacity to refill 1000 LPM would be set up very soon in the district and the oxygen plant which was set up in JNIMS also would be inaugurated soon, he stated.

The Chief Minister also instructed the CMO and the health workers to take utmost care of Covid patients who are in home isolation as they have the maximum chance of spreading.

He also reminded them to visit often and monitor their oxygen level and check their medicines so that they recover soon.

The Chief Minister observed that it is time for those in the medical profession to show their skill and serve the people.

He also noted that Tamenglong district is ahead in mass vaccination and testing.

As per the report from CMO, Tamenglong recovery rate currently stands at 94.20%.Nearly 26275 sample tests have been conducted in Tamenglong district so far, while 5953 people have been vaccinated with 1st dose and 1915 people have been vaccinated with the 2nd dose.

So far seven people from Tamenglong district have succumbed to Covid-19.The Chief Minister also handed over 10 oxygen concentrators to Tamenglong CMO, and also assured to provide a vehicle for CMO.

During his brief stay at district headquarters, he along with officials visited the office of CMO and gave the green signal to construct a new building.

Joint Four Tribes Council of Zeme Naga Council, Rongmei Naga Council, Liangmai Naga Council and Inpui Naga Union expressed their sincere gratitude to the Chief Minister and also to the District Administration.

Forest Environment and Climate Change Minister Awangbow Newmai, Hill Areas Committee Chairman K Leishiyo, Advisor to CM (Health) Dr S Ranjan and Principal Secretary (Health) V Vumlungmang, Secretary to CM N Geoffrey, DC, SP and DLOs also attended the review meeting.