IDC to tackle diseases at JNIMS soon
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 26 2019: An Infectious Diseases Centre (IDC) would be set up soon at JNIMS.

Sources said that once the IDC becomes fully operational, it would go a long way in treatment of infectious disease and also in controlling epidemics like Swine Flu, Dengue, Japanese Encephalitis, Ebola etc.

An IDC would be opened at JNIMS with funds provided by DoNER Ministry under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS).

Health and Family Welfare Director Dr K Rajo told The Sangai Express that due process of soil testing and floating tender is almost complete.

Informing that work order may be issued very soon, the Director said that the centre would be constructed with the Manipur Police Housing Corporation as the implementing agency.

He said that the Ministry of DoNER shall release Rs 20 crore through the State Health Directorate for construction of the IDC.

The Ministry may also add Rs 10 lakh as token money to the total amount.

It is being estimated that the State Government may be required to produce Rs 1.88 crore as its share for construction of the IDC, Dr Rajo said.

Talking about benefits which would be provided by the IDC, Dr Rajo said that it is quite risky to house people infected by infectious diseases with other patients at JNIMS together.

As such, JNIMS authority often faced difficulties when people infected by infectious or contagious diseases are brought to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment.

These difficulties become more acute when there is outbreak of Nipah Virus infection, Dengue, Measles, Swine Flu (H1N1), Japanese Encephalitis etc.

Separate toilets and bathrooms are also required for people infected with diseases like Ebola.

The State would face a very difficult situation if such diseases break out.

Even if people infected with such contagious diseases are treated at their own homes, there is strong possibility of the diseases spreading to surrounding areas, Dr Rajo said.

It would not be easy to refer these patients to other hospitals and private hospitals would not be willing to admit them, he said.

If the people suffering from infectious diseased are not housed separately, other patients would be exposed to serious risks, Moreover, doctors, nurses and other health workers too face serious risks if adequate protective measures are not put in place while diagnosing and treating people infected by contagious diseases, he continued.

Protective gears which would be used by doctors, nurses and health workers while treating people infected by infectious diseases would be procured as and when the IDC is opened.

Moreover, specialist doctors, trained nurses and health workers would be assigned to the centre, Dr Rajo said.

JNIMS Director Dr Th Bhimo said that opening of IDC would enable the hospital treat people infected by infectious diseases in more systematic manner apart from ameliorating the sense of insecurity felt by the public, doctors, nurses and health workers at the time of outbreak of infectious diseases.

He also expressed keen desire to start construction of the centre and open it as soon as possible.

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