IT News
Imphal, Aug 25:
As a follow-up of Apunba Imagi Maching (AIMS), Manipur’s effort on approaching the Japanese Government through the Japanese Embassy in New Delhi, the Japanese Government has already given a green signal, however, it needs to send it through diplomatic channels. In this regard, Langpoklakpam Jayantakumar Singh, Minister of Health, Family Welfare, Law and Legislative, Art and Culture has approached the Minister of External Affairs, Government of India, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. And again Dr. Lorho S. Pfoze, Hon’ble Member, M.P. (Lok Sabha) also sent the reminding letter to the Minister of External Affairs for speedy assistance of the people of Manipur. In response to the letter, Minister of External Affairs responded that the Minister is discussing with the Government of Japan a Programme Loan for Health Sector as part of Japanese Official Developmental Assistance and Grant-in-aid for strengthening the efforts against COVID-19 and also asked Manipur State Government to submit a proposal to the Department of Economic Affairs, Minister of Finance, which is the nodal Ministry of receiving proposal from State Governments related to Official Development Assistance and evaluation them in consultation with the concerned Central Ministries. It can be remembered that Dr Atom Sunil Singh, director, AIMS had earlier requested the Japanese authorities when the first COVID-19 case in Northeast India was detected in March 2020. Within 15 minutes of the request, the Japanese authorities replied favourably with the condition that the approach is to be made through the state government and the Central Government. The aids which were requested by the NGO include 1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as masks, gloves, goggles, gowns, hand sanitizer, soap, water, etc.; 2. Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) such as ventilators, medicines and equipment; 3. PCR or latest diagnose; 4. Possible medicine, like “Favipiravir” (Avigan) developed by Toyama Chemical of Japan; 5. Construction of special hospital for COVID-19 treatment; 6. Construction of separate quarantine and isolation centres etc. It also includes financial support for supplying water regularly for daily use and drinking; essential commodities such as rice, dal, edible oil, etc.; and also requested for expert nurses and doctors from Japan.
