Covid hospital for children below 15 years soon: CM
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 28 2021: Chief Minister N Biren inaugurated a Cryogenic Liquid Medical Oxygen plant having a storage capacity of 10 KL at JNIMS complex in Imphal East district on Friday.

Speaking at the event, N Biren informed that an 80-bedded dedicated COVID Hospital for children below 15 years would be set up soon at Canchipur area while terming as a matter of great concern that positive cases among children are also rising in the state.

CM Biren candidly admitted that the government was not sure in the beginning that an oxygen plant of such magnitude could be installed within such a short period.

However, with joint efforts and collective hard work of all concerned, it has become a reality now and it is like a dream come true at this critical juncture, he said.

The Chief Minister informed that a PSA oxygen plant in Churachandpur is now operational and a similar plant would be inaugurated in Thoubal district as well in a couple of days.

Moreover, many of the hill districts would have their own oxygen plants soon.

In addition to this, Biren said, another Cryogenic LMO plant of 20 KL capacity would be installed in Imphal at the earliest, possibly at RIMS.

He further informed that the state now has around 4000 oxygen cylinders and over 1000 oxygen concentrators.

In the beginning of the pandemic, the healthcare infrastructure was in poor condition in the state but significant improvement has been made today.

Another ICU block having 70 beds with ventilators and two PSA oxygen plants are also coming up at JNIMS complex soon, he said.

With all these measures, the government believes that patients requiring oxygen would be manageable to a great extent and some oxygen cylinders used in JNIMS could now be spared to other hospitals.

At present, around 400 oxygen cylinders are being supplied to JNIMS on a daily basis, he said and informed that along with the cryogenic cylinder, an oxygen plant with daily production capacity of 2000 litres has started functioning.

Stressing on the importance of strictly following SOPs, the CM pointed out recent incidents of multiple cases cropping up in some hill districts following large gathering of people for a prayer event.

On the other hand, many sick people are staying at home and refusing to come out for testing.

They only seek medical attention when their conditions get worse and started feeling difficulties in breathing.

As a result, their chance of survival is compromised, he remarked.

Considering the situation, the government is planning to take up mass testing initiative to find out positive cases from the community and isolate them.

Health department has begun shifting Covid patients from home isolation to Covid Care Centres after assessing availability of basic facilities like separate room and toilet at home.

Having good discipline among the public is very important in this crucial hour, he added.

Maintaining that the Central government has been providing prompt assistance whenever needed, he observed that the state should be thankful to the Central leaders.

Adherence to SOP is the only means to defeat the pandemic, he said and urged the public to pray for the wellbeing of doctors, nurses, para-medical staff, police and all other frontline warriors.

Later, Biren also inaugurated a Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra where people can buy over 600 types of high quality generic medicines and 154 surgical products at affordable rates.

CAF and PD minister Th Satyabrata, Manipur Legislative Assembly deputy speaker K Robindro, MPs RK Ranjan and titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba, advisor to CM (health) Dr S Ranjan, MLAs L Rameshwor, L Susindro and M Ramesh-war, and principal secretary (health) V Vumlunmang were also present on the occasion.

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