Three states in Northeast India buckle up to respond to the COVID-19 emergency supported by the Government of Japan and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Nagaland: Two district hospitals in Tuensang and Phek in Nagaland now have emergency oxygen supplies available, to provide intensive care treatment to the critically ill COVID-19 patients. The plants utilize pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technology to produce up to 800 liters of oxygen per minute.

A total of eight oxygen generation plants are being installed in the Northeast states of Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Tripura with the help of the Government of Japan and UNDP. The plants have the capacity to serve approximately 1,300 beds.

Launching the plants in Phek today, Honourable Chief Minister of Nagaland Mr. Neiphiu Rio stated, “On behalf of Nagaland, I thank UNDP India and the government of Japan for installing the oxygen generation plants in Tuensang and Phek districts. We are indebted for this help, the one that strengthens our health facility and furthers our ability to be able to succeed in mitigating this unprecedented health crisis”.

On the same note, Shri. S Pangnyu Phom, Hon’ble Minister for Department of Health and Family Welfare in Nagaland also thanked UNDP and Japan government for strengthening the health system.

To support the government of India’s ongoing COVID-19 response, UNDP together with the Government of Japan is strengthening the health and social protection systems, most importantly reviving the livelihoods and targeting the most vulnerable population.

“Japan is always happy to provide development assistance to the Northeast, feeling a special closeness based on our shared history. I hope that these Oxygen Generating Plants will serve well and help as many people as possible for a long time to come,” stated His Excellency Mr. SUZUKI Satoshi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of India.  

“UNDP stands committed to supporting the government of India to fight COVID-19, in partnership with development partners and UN sister agencies. I am pleased that our several months of effort to provide end-to-end service, to install and set the oxygen generation plants up and running has come to fruition. Together, we can better prepare for future crises,” stated Shoko Noda, UNDP Resident Representative in India.

“This is a dream project coming into reality”, expressed Dr. Lanuchuba, Chief Medical Officer, in Tuensang.

The oxygen generation plant in Tuensang was launched at a similar event on June 22, in the presence of Mr. Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister Nagaland; Mr. S. Pangnyu Phom, Minister, Department of Health and Family Welfare Nagaland; Mr. Ramnikant Kumar, Deputy Commissioner Cum Chairman of District Task Force; Dr. Lanuchuba, Chief Medical Officer Tuensang;  Mr. MIYAMOTO Shingo, Minister, Embassy of Japan to India; Nadia Rasheed, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in India; and Dr. Manish Pant, Chief, Health & Governance, UNDP India.