Our Correspondent
Imphal, May 26 (EMN): Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh inaugurated a PSA oxygen plant, the first of its kind in the hill districts of the state, at Churachandpur on Wednesday. The oxygen plant has a capacity of filling 45-50 D type cylinders daily.
He also reviewed the present Covid-19 situation of Churachandpur and Pherzawl districts at Churachandpur district headquarters.
He also inaugurated the mini-secretariat building of the district ahead of chairing a review meeting in connection with the present Covid-19 situation of Churachandpur and Pherzawl districts in the presence of Tribal Affairs and Hills Minister Vungzagin Valte, Advisor to CM (Health) Dr. S Ranjan, MLAs TN Haokip, V Hangkhanlian, Ginsuanhau, DGP LM Khaute, ADGP C Doungel, Principal Secretary (Health) V Vumlunmang, secretary to chief minister N Geoffrey, district officials and public leaders.
Speaking at the meeting, Singh said that Churachandpur has now become the first hill district of Manipur which has an oxygen generating unit. Moreover, it would also soon become the first hill district, which has a medical college, he added.
He observed that “Covid-19 is not that dreaded like other critical ailments”. It can be prevented if people properly follow the SOPs. As such, people should never hesitate in getting tested immediately if they experience symptoms, he observed.
Biren also urged the district officials to strictly check the home isolation patients whether they are lodged in separate rooms and having separate toilets.
Earlier in the day, the chief minister also inauguragted a 100-bedded dedicated Covid Hospital at Integrated Ayush Hospital located at Keirao in Imphal East district. Biren Singh said that the capacity of the hospital would be upgraded to 200 beds if required.
Stating that the Manipur government had significantly improved in health infrastructures and oxygen production capacity in the past few weeks, he informed that the Health Directorate now has around 1800 oxygen cylinders and 1000 oxygen concentrators.
In addition to the existing oxygen generating units, a cryogenic oxygen plant having a production capacity of around 1300 cylinders per day would be inaugurated soon at state government run- medical institute-JNIMS, he said.
“As home isolation treatment without having the required amenities like separate rooms and toilets can also be one of the main reasons for fast spreading of the virus, the government is actively considering to limit this mode of treatment,” he added.
Stating that mass testing is a must at this juncture, Biren Singh said that 50,000 RAT testing kits had been provided to all the districts recently. In addition to this, one lakh more kits had been ordered to intensify testing activities, he added. The Chief Minister stated that the State Government is planning to add 100 ICU beds more to the existing figure.
Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution Minister Th Satyabrata, Manipur Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker K Robindro, State Planning Board Deputy Chairman L. Rameshwor, Advisor to CM (Health) Dr. S Ranjan and Principal Secretary (Health) V Vumlunmang also attended the inaugural function.