Tura: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday reviewed the health care Infrastructure and preparedness of West Garo Hills in view of the surge in COVID-19 cases across the State.
Sangma held consultative meetings with officials of the administration and health department at Circuit House, Tura in presence of Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh, senior medical officers, different stakeholders including leaders of faith organisations.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister issued necessary directions to the authorities to be prepared with all possibilities to deal with the pandemic.
“It is important that the community and different stakeholders collaborate with the government by playing an important role in sensitising the masses on the importance of vaccination as a shield to fight Covid,” the Chief Minister underscored.
He also informed that the positivity rate in Tura as of now was 6-7 per cent.
“I am satisfied with the preparedness and the infrastructure arrangement made in the district by the administration and health authorities. The oxygen and other facilities are adequate and efforts are being made to speed up up-gradation of health infrastructure, including setting up of COVID ICU at Maternity and Child Hospital and Tura Civil Hospital,” he said, adding that health facilities and oxygen supply will be expanded.
The bed capacity of the Tura Civil Hospital, where the Oxygen Generation Plant funded by UNDP is in the making, is being increased and an ICU Unit is also being arranged to handle the ongoing Covid second wave, he said, adding that an isolation and ICU ward is being developed to handle Covid cases in the Maternity and Child Hospital.
The Chief Minister also urged the public to follow all necessary protocols related to Covid by using double masks, hand sanitization, and avoid crowded places.
After holding the consultation meeting at circuit house Tura, he visited different health infrastructure in the town including Tura Maternity and Child Hospital, Tura Civil Hospital and the Corona Care Centre at SMELC, Dakopgre.
Earlier in the day, he inspected the site for the installation of the Cryogenic Oxygen Generation Plant at Baljek, near Jengjal in West Garo Hills. “I am hopeful that the plant will cater to the need of five districts of Garo Hills, and West Khasi Hills, as the location is strategic,” he informed.
He later visited the Bio-Medical Waste Disposal Plant near ISBT in Tura. He informed that the construction is underway and will soon be completed.
