Last Updated on May 8, 2021 at 8:55 pm
Lieutenant Governor RK Mathur today reviewed the preparedness of the Health Department for COVID handling with detailed discussions on infrastructures, procurement of essential equipment, medicines among others.
Director Health, Dr. Phuntsog Angchuk through a power point presentation apprised the the LG of the existing facilities at SNM hospital, Mahabodhi, Heart foundation and District Hospital Kargil as well as all other health facilities and plans to augment the infrastructure. LG Mathur emphasized that Ladakh must be fully equipped with a complete set of facilities be it hospital beds, oxygen supply, medicines, additional manpower etc., stating that augmentation of all feasible and required infrastructure, supplies and manpower should be ensured.
LG Mathur also instructed the department to approach the GoI with requests for additional facilities, as required.
He also said that the Department should also explore the feasibility of setting up special Pediatric COVID wards keeping in view the availability of pediatricians in Ladakh for managing these facilities.
The meeting further deliberated upon achieving vaccination goals and imposing stricter restrictions with emphasis on COVID appropriate behavior and intensifying RT-PCR tests to control the situation.
Assessing the ongoing vaccination drive, LG Mathur stated that the department must ensure that the vulnerable and frontline populace in the 18-45 age categories must be prioritized for vaccination, while ensuring zero percentage of wastage.
LG Mathur instructed Director Health to expedite the works on the three new oxygen plants proposed – Drass, Padum and Diskit – and make them functional at the earliest. The Principal Secretary informed LG Mathur that the “Site Readiness Certificates” of the three oxygen generating plants has been approved by GoI and that civil and mechanical works are going on at these sites. “The oxygen plants will be dispatched by the supplier shortly and that the plants will be commissioned by the end of May, 2021,” informed Principal Secretary Health & Medical Education Pawan Kotwal.
The DC Kargil informed the LG that NHPC has agreed to provide a 2×500 LPM oxygen plant for Kargil. A plant of similar capacity is proposed to be set up at Leh to augment the oxygen generating capacity from the present 1000 LPM to 2000 LPM.
Highlighting the importance for all doctors to stay updated with latest COVID guidelines, LG Mathur advised all doctors to attend the weekly AIIMS conference and further disseminate the information amongst their colleagues. He also instructed the department to strictly monitor the Genome Sequencing sample reports.
LG Mathur stated that while all infrastructures are being put in place, stricter control on entrance into Ladakh must be ensured by both Deputy Commissioners. He also directed setting up of UT and District control rooms and also emphasized tele-medical consultation in Leh and Kargil.
