By Anup Biswas

Haflong : Minister for Hills Area Development, Revenue & Disaster Management, Mines & Minerals and in-charge  of Dima Hasao district, Jogen Mohan  reviewed the COVID -19 pandemic preparedness in the district in a meeting held at the Conference Hall of Haflong Circuit House on Saturday in presence of Haflong LAC MLA, Nandita Gorlosa, NCHAC CEM, Debolal Gorlosa, NCHAC Executive Member i/c  Samuel Changsan, Deputy Commissioner Paul Barua, ACS, Superintendent of Police, Jayant Singh, IPS.

During the meeting precautionary measures as well as treatment facilities available in the hospital around the district was thoroughly discussed in presence of the minister. A presentation was given by Dr. Leena Halmaosa on power point stating in details about the current status of the medical logistics and other required data regarding covid management.

EM Samuel Changsan put forth the difficulties faced during the tackling of the Covid crisis in Dima Hasao and requested for immediate intervention of the minister. Apprising about the in-availability of ICU facility, sufficient amenities for covid testing and covid care centre among the list, the Minister assured of an immediate attention to these demands.

Proposing of setting up a facility centre for an RTPCR test in Dima Hasao, Dr. Leena Hakmaosa expressed the difficulties and unprecedented challenges faced in the district for containment of Covid -19 due to delay in receiving result of samples sent to other districts. It is to be noted that due to lack of RTPCR machine, samples collected for covid test are sent to Silchar Medical College, Diphu Medical College or Guwahati Medical College which often leads to long waiting period of 5 to 7 days.

After taking detailed stock of the Covid management in the district, Minister Jogen Mohan also stressed on carrying out intensive awareness drive for the people to understand the importance of following the covid precautionary measures and also importance of taking vaccination.  He also directed the PWD Engineer for an immediate completion of construction work of ICU building.

At the end of the meeting the minister also addressed the media persons and met the public maintaining all covid protocol. Others present during the meeting were KAAC EM i/c Medical, Khonsing Ronghi, NCHAC EM i/c Education, Lalremsiama Darnei, RK Das CCF, Forest Dept, VN Phookan, Revenue dept, Council Principal Secy, Secretaries, ADCs and other officers