COVID-19: Assam Health Department's 1000-Bed Quarantine Facility Nears Completion

Dispur, March 30, 2020:

Assam Health Department, tasked with keeping the killer COVID-19 at bay, in inching towards the completion of one of its most ambitious projects -- the mega home quarantine facility in the Sarusajai stadium in the State. Modeled after the impromptu erection in China's Wuhan meant to house patients after hospitals ran out our of quarters for accommodation.

Today, Inside Northeast observed that the 700-bed temporary quarantine centre is on the verge of completion and the beds have already been readied. 200 bathrooms are also being constructed. Laborers were seen busy at work when we visited the construction site earlier today. The project was announced on March 26 by Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who said that the facility would be prepared at the site to house as many as 1000 people.

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It is pertinent to mention here that the Assam Health Department has been working round the clock to ensure that adequate facilities are prepared in order to tackle the threat of the COVID-19, which has already assumed national health emergency status across the nation.

The good news of Assam’s preparedness to combat COVID-19 with no positive cases so far, was shared by State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. “Happy to inform that the work on the Covid quarantine facilities being built at Sarusajai Stadium is coming up on a war footing. Sharing some pictures from the facility that is being built up as we speak. #AssamCares #FightAgainstCovid,” tweeted Sarma.

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It may be mentioned here that Assam has been lauded by the netizens for its relentless preparations against the virus. It is planning to set up another facility of 1000 capacity at Nehru Stadium in Guwahati.

Later, addressing the media, the Minister also announced that the private and public health facilities in the State are prepping to fight to coronavirus in tandem. The Health Ministry has now decided to restrict the Gauhati Medi cal College and Hospital (GMCH), which as emerged as the epicentre of corona testing in the Northeast, only for maternity, cancer and emergency care from March 28.

Otherwise, it will be used for treatment of the COVID-19 patients. Moreover, 3 of the 7 Government medical colleges will be used for treating corona patients, the administration has confirmed. This, it is believed, will enable the Government to treat 5,000 patients at the same time.

In Guwahati, another hospital, Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital in Pan Bazar is ready with 200 beds, while the Kamrup Rural District Hospital is said to be having a similar capacity for coronavirus patients.

“All other patients shall be redirected to private nursing homes & hospitals. Patients can also directly approach private clinics for free treatment. Govt will pay back the private hospital as per Ayushman Bharat”, Biswa Sarma told reporters in Guwahati yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Assam administration is also planning 5 pre-fabricated hospitals in collaboration with private companies to meet this emergency situation. The project might cost around Rs 40-45 crore, which shall be met with the help of donations from govt agencies, MPs and public and state resources. Meanwhile, some MPs such as the Congressman Pradyut Bordoloi have already pledged sums to amp up the fight against the corona.

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