Nongstoin COVID-19 centre not fully equipped

NONGSTOIN: The DM&HO, West Khasi Hills, Dr M Bareh, on Friday informed Nongstoin MLA Macmillan Byrsat that the corona care centre here was not yet ready to receive suspected or positive COVID -19 patients.
Byrsat was here to inspect the centre on the instruction of the chief minister and to make sure that it is ready. The centre is temporarily housed at GNM Nursing School and Hostel in Mawiaban near the Civil Hospital. Bareh said that the centre lacked adequate infrastructure.  The doctor informed that the stage ‘C’ section has only a ventilator, but it is yet to be installed. The stage section, which is the most important, is not yet ready to function because there are no ICU beds, ABG machine, and infusion pump and monitors are not yet available, she said. Whereas, in the stages ‘A’ and ‘B’ sections, only beds and bed sheets are available without mattresses, chairs, table while other infrastructure in the centre are in a poor condition.
“The centre received a sanction of only Rs one lakh, which is insufficient”, the doctor said. She, however, said that the manpower was sufficient with 16 staff, including three doctors, staff nurses and Grade-IV staff.
Meanwhile, the MLA told reporters that the main intention to carry out the inspection was to make sure that the centre is fully equipped to handle the situation.
A list of requirements and infrastructure was handed over to the MLA who assured that it would be sent to the chief minister at the earliest.
“After all, we just want to prepare for the worst and hopefully Covid-19 will not enter West Khasi Hills”, the legislator said.