SHILLONG: Health and Family Welfare Minister AL Hek is unhappy with the fact there are only 15 personal protective Equipment (PPE) in Sohra Civil Sub Division at a time when the entire East Khasi Hills district is under Red Zone.
Speaking to newspersons on Monday after holding a review meeting in Sohra, Hek said, “How can we protect the doctors and corona workers with just 15 PPE in the entire civil sub-division”.
Hek, who also visited Laitryngew PHC, lamented that there was not even a single PPE at a time when PPE are the most important shield for the corona workers in the state.
Not impressed with the situation in Sohra, Hek on Monday issued a direction in which he stated that a minimum of 100 PPE along with masks, hand sanitisers and other requirements should be made available in each and every PHC and CHC.
He added that the equipment would start reaching the PHCs and CHCs from Thursday.
Admitting that there are short comings even though the department is trying its best to contain the situation, he also stressed on the need for his own department to work more aggressively besides ensuring that proper awareness is created among the people about COVID-19.
“I saw in a village in Sohra that people who were waiting for ration were not even wearing masks and this is a matter of concern for us,” Hek said. The Chief Executive Member of KHADC and Sohra MDC, Titosstarwell Chyne, who accompanied the health minister, has stressed the need of opening isolation and corona care centres in Sohra, while improving the health facilities in rural areas.
Chyne gave varied suggestions to Hek and health officials.
“We need more PPE, masks and sanitisers for PHCs and CHCs across Sohra as most of these are ill equipped,” he said.
He has also made a proposal to the government to provide more ambulances.
According to the CEM, the medical staff should not be shifted from Sohra to Shillong.
He also wanted to know the status of Ichamati CHC as this can cater to the needs of the border people.
