IT News
Imphal, May 31:
Strengthening hands further in the fight against COVID-19, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh today inaugurated yet another PSA Oxygen Plant having a capacity of 100 LPM at Thoubal District Hospital complex and reviewed COVID-19 situation of Thoubal and Kakching districts at DC Office Complex, Thoubal. It was the third oxygen plant which has been made operational in less than a week in the State.
Education Minister S. Rajen, Agriculture Minister O. Lukhoi, Advisor to CM (Health) Dr. S. Rajan, MLAs M. Rameshwar, Shri Fazur Rahim, Y. Antaz Khan, Th. Radheshyam, Dr. Radheshyam Yumnam, O. Surjakumar, K. Meghachandra, P. Brojen, Principal Secretary (Health) V. Vumlunmang, Secretary to CM N. Geoffrey, DCs, SPs, CMOs, other Health Department officials and CSO representatives of the two districts attended the review meeting which lasted for around two hours and a half.
After patiently listening to the observations made by the attendees, the Chief Minister stated that testing in the State had considerably increased in the past couple of days to ensure early detection and early treatment. As such, people should not panic with the possible jump in the number of positive cases, he said, and urged the media to carry the number of tested samples and recovered patients as well while reporting.
Regarding casualties, the Chief Minister clarified that most of the deaths were due to comorbidity. However, the Government had been putting in all possible efforts to save every single life, he reiterated. Stating that self-treatment at homes without giving necessary information to the authority or consulting doctors may prove fatal, the Chief Minister said that it was the reason why the Government had requested all concerned not to donate equipment like pulse oximeters, oxygen cylinders, oxygen concentrators and ventilators to the patients directly.
Apart from adding 10 more ICU beds with ventilators at Thoubal District Hospital, the Government would also look into the requirement of more Anesthetists and Physicians. As Kakching is a new district and it lacks in medical infrastructure and manpower, the health authority of Thoubal District should cooperate with the authority of the former in tackling the pandemic. He also said that jurisdictional issues should never be a hindrance in giving timely treatment and saving people’s lives at this critical juncture.
N. Biren Singh also directed the DCs and CMOs of the two districts to intensify vaccination. He also mentioned the need for opening a Covid Care Centre in the Lilong area. He also directed the DCs to form district teams for the cremation of dead COVID-19 patients. All the charges should be borne by the district administration and it would be reimbursed by the State Government later, he added. The Chief Minister also suggested the district administration to look for private agencies which can provide catering service at Covid Care Centres with patients bearing their charges on their own.
Maintaining that it is not the time for negative propaganda, N. Biren Singh observed that unnecessary criticism and blame games should always be avoided. Instead, people should concentrate on a collective fight to defeat the pandemic, he added. With the dedicated efforts from MLAs, Government officials and the general public, the State now has enough stock of oxygen and other medical materials, he informed. The Government does everything by hearing suggestions and feedbacks from MLAs, medical experts, scholars, CSOs and the general public, he added.
