SHILLONG, April 20: Health Minister AL Hek said a coordination committee meeting of health professionals is vital for taking stock of the COVID-19 situation in the vulnerable state capital.
“Looking at the spike in cases, Shillong urban areas are in a vulnerable stage and we will have to take a call (on the meeting),” he said on Tuesday.
Hek did not specify a date for the meeting but said it would be held immediately.
The Health Minister said the government was taking care of everything from beds to medicines to deal with the spike in COVID cases.
“We had a detailed discussion in a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma. Anything required by the Health department – manpower, equipment, medicines, vaccines – cannot wait as it is a question of life and death,” he said.
He, however, said many people are still hesitant in getting vaccinated against the novel coronavirus. “I would like to urge them to get vaccinated for their own security and that of their family and neighbours,” he added.
On questions being raised about the checking at the entry gates, Hek said the Chief Minister has made it clear that the protocols laid down by the government must be followed. “Anyone found breaking the protocols at the entry gates will be dealt with according to law, he said.
All vehicles, whether registered in Meghalaya or elsewhere, have to be checked at the gates, he added.
District Task Force meet
A meeting of the District Task Force on COVID-19 held Tuesday flagged the alarming rise in positive cases in the state as a whole and Shillong in particular.
Chairing the meeting, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Isawanda Laloo noted that steps have been taken to track and test returnees who might be carrying the virus home and isolate positive persons and high-risk contacts. Community participation in creating awareness on the protocols for prevention was underlined at the meeting.
Laloo sought the cooperation of all stakeholders for a concerted effort to contain infections. She requested all headmen to reactivate the Community Covid Management Committees that had been instrumental in the management of the pandemic last year.
Principal Secretary for Health, Sampath Kumar noted that individual behavioural change was key to containing the pandemic. He called upon the members to strengthen the Behaviour Change Management Committees as they form the first line of defence against the virus.
He advised the community and religious leaders to come forward and get vaccinated as well as encourage others to take the vaccine.
It was decided to rope in the headmen for motivating the people to come forward and get vaccinated.
Apart from Kumar, the meeting was attended by East Khasi Hills SP, Sylvester Nongtnger, District Medical and Health Officer, Additional District Medical and Health Officer, District Surveillance Officer, CEO of Cantonment Board, members of the District Task Force, religious leaders, representatives from various church bodies and members of the Synjuk Ki Nongsynshar Shnong ka Bri U Hynniewtrep.
