Will address pay disparities of Covid fighters: CM
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, August 09 2021: Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Monday inaugurated a newly installed oxygen plant at Ukhrul District Hospital (UDH) in the presence of TA & Hills Minister Vungzagin Valte, Education Minister S Rajen, Chingai MLA Khashim Vashum and ADC Ukhrul caretaker chairman Dr Yaronsho Ngalung.

Construction of the new oxygen plant was funded under the 15th Finance Commission Grants of the Autonomous District Council.

The ^ew plant is based on Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) technology and has a capacity of 1000 LPM.

It can support 200 D-type cylinders per day to cater to the need of oxygen for the patients suffering from Covid-19."Let there be no more Covid casualty in Ukhrul," CM Biren said loud enough to be heard under the din from the crowded gathering as he cut the ribbons of the new facility.

He said that construction of the new oxygen plant has been completed within a span of just three months and further informed that another oxygen plant with a capacity of 500 LPM would be installed at Somdal PHC very shortly.

"We are according priority to installation of oxygen plants in different parts of state because this is a life-saving job," he said while adding that similar facilities have already been installed at Churachandpur and in Imphal areas, followed by Chandel, Ukhrul and Sen -apati today.

He said that there are currently seven operational oxygen plants in the state, including two at JNIMS.

The CM also assured to provide 45 more oxygen cylinders to the hospital, on learning that it has only 55 cylinders currently.

Since the plant can now support 200 cylinders per day, at least 100 cylinders are needed, he added.

The CM continued that even though the new oxygen plant is inaugurated, there are no technicians to operate the facility at present.

He said that the Cabinet in its last sitting approved recruitment of operators of such plants in the respective districts.

"So, it's my earnest appeal to the talented local youth to come forward, face interview and get appointed for the posts of operators.

Even they can undergo training for the same.

Priority will be given to the locals from the respective districts so there will be no need to find deployment from outside," he said.

At the same time, CM Biren assured that he would look into the inadequate pay and incentives of the Covid fighters and medical staffers.

He further assured to take care of the lack of physicians at the hospital.

Taking serious note of the incomplete status of another 50-bedded section of the hospital, CM Biren assured he would ensure that the new section is made operational before the forthcoming general election.

Highlighting the objective of the present government, the CM said that his government is committed to provide equal development for all the people irrespective of hills and valley.

"We are committed to ensure equal distribution of development and equal improvement of health infrastructures in all corners of the state," he said.

Shifting his topic, he informed that he has already submitted a proposal for revamping the William Pettigrew College at the cost of Rs 60 Crore under MOBC to boost higher education in the district.

He also took note of the acute water scarcity crisis in the district and urged people to stop felling trees and protect forest so as to address the water problem.

Principal Secretary, Family Welfare & Health, Mang Director TA & Hills C Worchuiyo, DC Joseph Kamson, CEO UADC Polly Makan, former Dy Speaker Preshaw Shimray, TNL President Hopingson Shimray, CMO Dr Kapangring and others were also present.

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