Meghalaya: Minister James Sangma Reviews Corona Preparedness in Garo Hills

Shillong, April 7, 2020:

Meghalaya Power Minister James K. Sangma on Tuesday reviewed the overall lockdown situation in Tura, West Garo Hills district.

James Sangma, who has been appointed by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma as the nodal minister in-charge of the Garo Hills region held a review meeting on the preparations in case of an outbreak of Covid-19.

The issues related to medical preparedness were discussed at length during the meeting, wherein various issues were discussed particularly on allotment of dedicated ambulance for sample collection and transportation of suspected patients.

The officials from the Health Department informed that isolation ward, quarantine centre and corona care centre have been setup in Tura and for the plain belt areas of West Garo Hills at Selsella CHC and Chibinang CHC.

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“Food grains are being released under the NFSA (National Food Security Act, 2013) and open market sell scheme for all the districts, which will ease most of the issues concerning the people, particularly in the rural areas,” said James Sangma, who is also the Minister in-charge of Food and Civil Supplies, while speaking on the lines of essentials.

It may be mentioned here that in West Garo Hills, 211 beds are currently available at the Corona Care Centre. 60 beds for quarantine, including 30 beds in plain belt area of Garo Hills besides isolation wards at Tura Civil Hospital, Selsella CHC and Chibinang CHC respectively.

The isolation ward has been designated at two private hospitals - Tura Christian Hospital and Holy Cross Hospital of Tura with 4 and 5 beds each. The issue of Personal-Protective Equipment (PPE) and other equipment for frontline workers were discussed.

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During the meeting, the Minister informed that government has placed orders for the equipments, which are being made available to different health care institutions.

The meeting also discussed on the shortage of LPG cylinder, wherein the minister has assured that measures has been taken to streamline the supply.

The issues of the farming community were discussed at length. The Minister has directed the Deputy Commissioner to chart out action plans in collaboration with Agriculture Dept to resolve any difficulties of the farmers.

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Thanking stakeholders including officers, faith based organisations, civil society organisations and the public at large for their cooperation during the lockdown period, James Sangma has appealed that people should continue with their spirit and adhere to government advisories by maintaining social distancing and hand hygiene.

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