Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Thursday inspected the installation of the 150 LPM (Litres Per Minute) Oxygen Plant at Nongpoh Civil Hospital in Ri-bhoi district.
The oxygen plant, which is expected to be functional by early next week, will provide high flow oxygen to 25 beds, which will also cater to the oxygen needs of COVID patients.
The UNDP funded oxygen plants are also being set up in two important towns of Tura in West Garo Hills district and Jowai in West Jaintia Hills district.
Expressing his satisfaction at the overall progress of work, the Chief Minister informed that the installation should be completed in the coming week, adding that directions have been given to contractors to speed up the work.
“We have received the equipment. Installation works are ongoing. We still need to do the internal piping of the building, which will take some more time. We hope and expect that this plant will be made functional early next week,” Sangma said.
During his visit, Sangma also discussed with officials on setting up another COVID base at the Maternity and Child Hospital (MCH), at Umran Niangbyrnai.
“We are in touch with the TATA Trust. They have committed to set up the oxygen plant at the
MCH,” he informed.
The Chief Minister also said that ramping up of health infrastructure is going on at a war footing in different parts of the State.
“As cases continue to rise in the State, we need to be prepared for any eventuality and Ri-Bhoi district being one of the entry points in the State is very vulnerable,” he observed.
Sangma also inspected the Cryogenic Oxygen Plant at Jengjal in West Garo Hills. The leveling of land and civil works are underway and effort is being made by the authorities to get the cryogenic tanks within three weeks.
He informed that on completion of the plant, the Jengjal plant will cater to the needs of five districts of Garo Hills and part of West Khasi Hills.
“Good progress so far for the set up of the Cryogenic Oxygen Plant at Jengjal. The leveling of the land, the civil works and the road connectivity towards the site are underway. Special efforts are being made to get the cryogenic tanks within three weeks,” the Chief Minister said.
