Special equipment to set up oxygen generating plants at Churachandpur and Thoubal have been airlifted from New Delhi, while a new grievance cell has been opened for home isolation patients of Covid. Also, a PIL has alleged non-release of 485 crore MGNREGS funds in the state, and 6 Manipur players will be representing the country at the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers at Doha.
Equipment for Oxygen Plants Arrive
Equipment for the installation of oxygen plants at Churachandpur and Thoubal districts, and 10 oxygen concentrators for distribution to different hospitals were airlifted to Imphal from New Delhi by an Indian Air Force flight on May 19.
Reports said the two Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen plants are being set up with assistance from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with generation capacity of 200 litres per minute (LPM) at Churachandpur and 100 LPM at Thoubal.
The equipment includes air compressors, air-dryers, air receivers, oxygen storage tanks, air pipes, cable trays, earthing strips, electrical power panels, servo voltage stabilizers, servo oil, UPS, etc, reports added.
Grievance Cell for Home Isolated Patients
Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren on May 20 opened the ‘CM’s COVID-19 Grievance Cell’ for COVID-19 patients undergoing home isolation.
Reports said patients can now lodge their grievances at the cell at 18003453848 (Toll Free) and 0385-2440079, if no satisfactory follow-up action was taken by the responsible authority. The Grievance Cell will be manned by doctors, the reports added.
The Chief Minister has urged doctors and nurses visit every home isolation patient within their jurisdiction to give necessary medicine and pulse oxymeters. Home isolation without proper facilities for the same had been a major cause for rapid spread of the virus, Biren said, adding that home patients under isolation would be brought to the Covid Care Centre if they do not have proper isolation facilities.
The government had also constituted different teams headed by doctors to ensure prompt delivery of medicine, regular monitoring of home isolation cases and regular home visits among others, reports added.
PIL Alleges Non-Release of 485-Crore MGNREGS Funds
The Manipur High Court has directed the additional advocate general to ascertain if the required follow up was initiated for the March 18 sanction of MGNREGS funds by the state government.
The PIL has been filed by Imphal East Zilla Parishad member, Seram Neken against the alleged failure of the state government to sanction the MGNREGS fund to the Panchayati Raj Institutions and job card workers in the state.
Reports said the PIL filed mentioned that the Union Rural Development Ministry sanctioned an amount of Rs. 4,85,50,75,000 to the state government on March 18 for payment of liabilities in the form of wages, material and administrative components for MGNREGS works.
As per the sanction order and the MGNREGA guidelines, the state government must transfer these funds along with the state share to the State Employment Guarantee Fund for programme implementation within three days positively from the date of receipt of these funds.
Expert Committee to Study COVID-19
The state government on May 19 set up a seven-member Expert Committee in an attempt to stem the COVID-19 mortality rate of the second wave in Manipur.
Reports said the Expert Committee headed by State Health Director, Dr. K Rajo will examine the recent COVID-19 mortality cases in the state.
The other members of the committee are Dr. A Santa Singh, Director, RIMS, Dr. Kh Lokeshwar Singh, Medical Superintendent, JNIMS, Dr. Th Dhabali, Managing Director, Babina Diagnostics, Dr. S Jugindro, President, Indian Medical Association (IMA), Manipur state branch, Dr. L Ashananda Singh, Regional Director, MoHFW, and Dr. Lalthari Hmar, Additional Director of Health Services (MC).
Ex-MLA I Ibohalbi Dies of COVID
Former Manipur MLA from Oinam Assembly Constituency Dr. Irengbam Ibohalbi died of COVID-19 on May 20. He was admitted to Shija hospitals on May 16 after he tested positive for COVID-19. He passed away around 4.45 pm on May 20.
Reports said Dr. Ibohalbi began his political career from Manipur People’s Party (MPP) and then joined All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), Indian National Congress (INC) and North East India Development Party (NEIDP).
Dr. Ibohalbi was elected to the Manipur Legislative Assembly in 2012 from Oinam assembly constituency on an All India Trinamool Congress ticket.
State Has No Accountability on Oxygen Use
The Manipur government had set up a State Oxygen Management Team but the team has not initiated the process to determine accountability to utilisation of the oxygen supplies made as no machinery is in place to monitor the oxygen supplies made to hospitals. This was stated by Advocate General N Kumarjit, during the hearing of the PIL filed by advocate Naresh Maimom in the Manipur High Court.
Cinematographer Irom Maipak Dies of Covid
Manipur’s acclaimed cinematographer Irom Maipak, who had worked in some of the outstanding award-winning films made in the state, died of COVID-19 complications on May 19 at Raj Medicity, Imphal. He was diagnosed with COVID-19 and was on critical support at the hospital for 16 days. He was 52.
Free Ambulance Service
At a time when the Covid pandemic is wreaking havoc, Saina Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS), Porompat has instilled a ray of hope, especially to the poor and needy by providing free ambulance service along with oxygen for needy patients.
Needy people can reach out on mobile numbers 8837497797, 9863154726 and 9366683635 to avail the benefit of free ambulance service, reports added.
6 World Cup Qualifier Players from Manipur
Six young football players from Manipur have been selected to be part of the Indian national team for the FIFA World Cup 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 qualifiers in Doha, Qatar.
Reports said, the six players are among the 28-member squad for India’s three forthcoming matches in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 qualifiers slated to be played from June 3 onwards.
