All 9 samples test negative for Covid 19
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, February 18 2020: So far nine samples were sent from the State to the National Institute of Virology, Pune for COVID-19 test and eight of them have been found negative, Health and Family Welfare Minister L Jayantakumar informed the State Assembly today in response to a query raised by MLA Surjakumar Okram.

However, a late report informed that the remaining sample too has tested negative.

The Health Minister said that the total number of people who returned to the State from China and other countries affected by COVID-19 was 284 till February 17 .

Screening of passengers is being done by a team including two doctors, two nurses and an attendant with necessary equipment at the Imphal International Airport.

All 9 samples test negative for Covid 19

Similar screening is also done at surface entry points since January 18 at Moreh Gates 1 and 2, Jiribam, Behiang (Churachandpur), Sinzawl (Churachandpur), Tusom (Ukhrul), Kamjong and Mao Gate (Senapati), he said.

Jayantakumar informed the House that isolation wards have been opened at RIMS and JNIMS hospitals while rapid response teams have been alerted at the State level as well as at district level.

Even though there is no budget allocation for tackling the novel coronavirus, funds available under the office expenses and office contingency would be utilised for the purpose, if required, Jayantakumar said.

The Health Directorate, as per an instruction from the Centre, has procured masks available in the local market and has cancelled leave of all officials and staffs under the directorate, he continued.

Replying to a question raised by AK Mirabai Devi, Jayantakumar informed the House that the Government has acquired 8.10 acres for construction of State Mental Hospital at Salam Keikhu village, Imphal West.

The State Cabinet adopted a decision on September 13, 2017 to construct the hospital.

Later, a DPR was submitted to the Ministry of DoNER in April 2019 for construction of the same hospital in view of the financial constraints faced by the State Government, he said.

A little amount was reflected nominally in this year's budget.

Most of the funds invested in mental health came from the National Rural Health Mission, Jayantakumar said.

Responding to another query raised by MLA Awangbow Newmai, the Health Minister said that eight PHCs/UPHCs and one CHC was opened during the past three years while 294 doctors, 537 staff nurses and 537 ANM/FHWs were appointed.

Saying that the State's health sector has been facing shortage of manpower, Jayantakumar informed that the Government has been working to appoint 53 more staff nurses.

Replying to a question raised by K Ranjit, Works Minister Th Biswajit said that construction of Greater Imphal Ring Road funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in the form of loan would begin this year after the rainy season.

He said the project could not commence in 2014 due to non-availability of the State's share of fund although an agreement was signed between ADB and State Government for the project in February 2014 whose estimated cost at that time was Rs 440 crore.

Biswajit said the project was re-submitted in August 2018 with estimate cost of Rs 854 crore and the project got approval on October 23, 2019 .

In view of the State's limited resources, the State Government has been negotiating with ADB to bear all the expenses which would be repaid by the State Government later, Biswajit informed the House.

The State Government has already obtained approval of the Ministry of DoNER, Ministry of Transport and Highways, and the Ministry of Home Affairs for executing the Greater Imphal Ring Road project.

Stating that there is a need for updating the DPR, he said that survey and investigation of the project is under process following complaint regarding land acquisition in Imphal East district.