ITANAGAR, 04 May: The health department is expecting 30 thousand new Covid 19 cases in the state in the next 4 months and is making preparations keeping the said target. Briefing the media about the preparedness of the department, the secretary health P Partibhan told the media here on Tuesday that direction has been given to all the deputy commissioners especially those in the interior areas to set up oxygen support beds in the hospitals.
At present the department has set up six oxygen generation plants in the hospitals of Tawang, Ziro, Aalo, Yingkiong, Tezu and DCH Chimpu. With the number of Covid 19 cases rising, the department has further decided to set up 7 more oxygen generation plants with the help of UNICEF/UNDP and 14 under the PM Cares fund.
“We plan to have a minimum of 550 oxygen beds in the state. Very soon all districts will get oxygen generation plants under PM Care, UNDP, UNICEF,” shared secretary health. He said right now there are 167 oxygen beds available in the state. “The DCH Chimpu is getting a new oxygen generation plant with capacity of 500 litre per minute and capacity is being increased to 200 bed. Right now Pasighat hospital has 45 litre per minute oxygen generation plant with 40 bed. ICU has been established in many district hospitals too,” informed secretary health.
The government is further on the process to set up a new oxygen generation plant with capacity of 1200 litre per minute at TRIHMS Naharlagun and 300 litre per minute at Pasighat. “All the districts will have oxygen generation plants with capacity of 100 litre per minute. The process has started in this regard,” said secretary health.
On the issue of the possibility of lockdown in the state capital, he said the deputy commissioner will take calls based on the setup guidelines covid management system and increase of positive cases beyond the prescribed limit.
“DC has been authorized to make decisions on lockdown, restriction and containment zones. As per MHA guidelines lockdown is imposed only if there is a 10% positive case and 60% bed occupancy in the area. DC and SP have full power to decide. They can approach the government if there is a need for lockdown,” added Partibhan. The secretary also shared that whatever fine district administration collects for violation of Covid protocol will be used by DC for Covid related activities.
The secretary did acknowledge that the number of active cases has increased drastically in the last 10 days in the state. “Today we reviewed the situation with DC, DMO and SP of all districts of the state. We are keeping a close eye on Assam as whatever situation arises there affects us. Right now Assam has 4500 per day and in the next 10 days’ number is expected to double. As of now Arunachal is witnessing 200 case per day now and we are expecting it to increase to 500 per day in the next 5 to 10 days,” said secretary health.
He appealed to the public to follow the SOPs and said the government alone will not be able to stop the spread of the virus without the support of citizens. The secretary also shared that TRIHMS has developed protocol for the state after video conferencing with doctors of AIIMS, Delhi. On the issue of essential drugs for treatment of Covid 19 patients, the secretary said it is being sent to the districts. “Procurement is being done and within 2 days all essential drugs will be available in all the hospitals of the state. We are clinically and medically much prepared this time. Our doctors and health workers have been working tirelessly since last one year. We need to support doctors at this juncture,” said secretary Partibhan.
