JOWAI: Health Minister AL Hek on Wednesday said that West Kashi Hills is prepared to fight the virus and has put in place various preventive measures such as quarantine or isolation wards and other related services, while the the Director of Health Services (DHS), Dr. A Warr, informed that certain equipment such as thermal scanner, non-touch thermometer and ventilators, are still on the way and on reaching it would be dispatched to all district health departments.
With regard to shortage of medical equipment, the DHS informed that personal protective equipment (PPE), face masks, hand gloves, sanitisers, etc., that were received by the directorate office have been dispatched to all districts.
The health minister made the statement after holding a review meeting with the West Jaintia Hills district administration and the health officials, at Jowai Civil Hospital, Ialong here. Jowai MLA Wailadmiki Shylla was also present.
Hek also inspected the old Civil Hospital, Jowai which was converted to Maternity & Child Hospital located at Panaliar, Jowai.
The Jaintia Hills will be getting altogether two ventilators – one each for Jowai Civil Hospital, Ialong and Khliehriat CHC. In West Jaintia Hills, three isolation wards have been set up.
Two hostels of the Kiang Nangbah Government College will be used as the Corona Care Centre in the district with an accommodation capacity of up to 80 patients.