MLA Khashim equips 3 PHCs with oxygen concentrators to fight Covid
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, June 02 2021: Chingai MLA Khashim Vashum has donated one oxygen concentrator each to three Primary Health Centres, namely Teinem PHC, Somdal PHC and Talui PHC under Lungchong Maiphai block to support the ongoing battle against the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He also provided a slew of essential protective items like PPEs, face masks, hand gloves, and hand sanitisers and Covid treatment medicines and pulse oximeters, along with boxes of beverages and snack items and monetary assistance to seven PHCs and PHSCs and the village authorities.

MLA Khashim extended the assistance package during a village-to-village tour undertaken in the western Ukhrul region on June 1, which covered Ringui, Sirarakhong, Teinem, Phalee, Somdal, Talui and Ngaingu villages successively.

He also gave separate food items to three Covid patients who are lodged in a community isolation centre at Ringui Ramhon.

He was out on a touring spree for one primary reason -- to boost the morale of the villagers, patients and healthcare workers stationed in the remote areas in the fight against the raging Covid-19 pandemic.

"Each one of you and your actions count.

Be brave.

We all are together in this battle against Covid-19," he exhorted them.

Call it a departure from convention or refreshing exception to the prevailing culture associated with VIP or official visits, the MLA somehow managed to make his day-long tour some sort of a spiritual sojourn as well.

Stating that the pandemic has certainly plummeted life into a deep turmoil everywhere, he, nevertheless, urged everyone not to lose their sense of spiritual connection in this trying time.

Taking a cue from his own personal experience, MLA Khashim said: "There is a message for everyone to stay strong in the midst of the ongoing pandemic".

"Trusting God is our only protection in such times.

I appeal to you all to recall what is written of God.

He is the only shelter in the time of storm," Khashim said, referring to a timeless Christian hymn written by Vernon J Charles Worth.

"Take my word, it's only God who has been keeping me safe from the storm of the pandemic.

What shield do I have? None.

But I'm glad that the Almighty counted my trust and He is allowing me to continue serving my people in good health in the times of Covid-19," he affirmed.

"Using faith in God as our weapon, we will definitely overcome the virus.

No matter how virulent the virus that surrounds us, is, we will be safe in His shelter" Khashim said as he asked the frontline workers to join him in singing Vernon's hymn.

Underscoring a godly fight against the disease, he urged pastors and Church leaders of each village to continue to pray for the frontline workers and for the locals to equip them with spiritual strength to beat the malaise.

Appealing to the people to extend humanity services, especially to those who are affected by the pandemic, he said: "Do not panic but love and help one another in this challenging time." He further appealed to the villagers, to cooperate and treat the healthcare staff properly, stating that the doctors and nurses are doing a selfless job.

The MLA also offered condolences to those who lost their precious lives due to the pandemic and hoped that no more precious lives succumb to the malaise.

At each village, he interacted with the village leaders and reviewed the preparedness of the locals.

He asked all Covid-19 Task Forces (CTFs) in villages to start functioning immediately and to look into all the problems and difficulties likely to crop up due to the pandemic, while advising them to directly intimate/ communicate with him for any requirements.

He further informed that daily allowance of Rs 1000 for each CTF as announced by the state government would be disbursed shortly.

MLA Khashim also gave a patient hearing to the woes of the healthcare workers, while taking inventory of the existing facilities in the PHCs and PSHCs.

It is learnt that all the healthcare centres are facing a common problem of staff shortage and inadequate infrastructures.

Only one doctor each assigned as medical officer (MO) along with a few nurses was found to be running the PHCs in Talui, Teinem and Somdal.

None of the centres have any ambulance to ferry their patients at present.

One ambulance vehicle at Talui PHC is said to be out of service after it broke down months ago.

On learning about the existing problems, he assured the doctors and nurses that he would do his best to address the problems in consultation with relevant authorities at the earliest.

The PHSCs were found in a worse state.

Ngainga PHSC does not have a single staff stationed while the PHSC building at Phalee village was found incomplete.

To help improve the building for urgent use during the pandemic, Khashim separately handed over a monetary aid to Phalee Village Committee.

He also assured Ngainga village committee of providing staffers for their PHSC shortly.

The MLA was accompanied by former ADC members Thanchipem Jagoi, Kapang- pam Zimik and Khayinghor during the tour.

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