SHILLONG: Health Minister AL Hek launched a locally-made alcohol-based hand sanitiser at the Directorate of Health Services (Research), Pasteur Institute, Lawmali here on Monday.
In his address, Hek, while lauding the institute, said that this is an important initiative by the Health department towards protecting the citizens from the infection and it is pertinent to state that “necessity is the mother of invention”.
With an aim to supply safe and effective hand sanitisers for the citizens and due to its high demand, the Directorate of Health Services (Research) has introduced a small scale manufacturing unit at Pasteur Institute to cater to the needs of the healthcare workers as well as general public.
The unit follows World Health Oraganisation’s recommended formula for manufacturing the hand sanitisers. The product is kept in a clean, spacious, air conditioned room for 72 hours in order to allow time for any spores present in the alcohol to be eliminated by hydrogen peroxide.
The Pasteur Institute and Ganesh Das Hospital have been contributing relentlessly in the fight against COVID-19 as these two institutes, apart from making their own hand sanitisers, are also treating pregnant women, who were earlier evacuated from Bethany Hospital last month following the detection of a positive case. The institute is also set to start its testing facilities for COVID-19 in a couple of days.
Medical Superintendent of Ganesh Das MCH Hospital, Dr. N Wanswett, said that the hospital has 6 to 7 beds for pregnant women and sick new born babies. The hospital has conducted 9 caesarean and a normal deliveries from April 15.
Stating that the hospital has also taken care of few sick babies who were transferred from Bethany Hospital, the medical superintendent added that the hospital now has 10 beds in its new building.
It may be mentioned that two pregnant women came directly from Bethany Hospital to Ganesh Das and more than 10 cases came to the Hospital following consultations in the Bethany Hospital.
Medical Superintendent of Ganesh Das MCH Hospital, Dr. N Wanswett, said that the hospital has 6 to 7 beds for pregnant women and sick new born babies. The hospital has conducted 9 caesarean and a normal deliveries from April 15.
Stating that the hospital has also taken care of few sick babies who were transferred from Bethany Hospital, the medical superintendent added that the hospital now has 10 beds in its new building.
It may be mentioned that two pregnant women came directly from Bethany Hospital to Ganesh Das and more than 10 cases came to the Hospital following consultations in the Bethany Hospital.





