Govt to soon set up COVID-19 cum paediatric hospital at Jowai: CM

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 11, 2021

The state government on Friday announced its decision to soon come up with a prefab structure for setting up of a 50-bedded COVID-19 hospital at Jowai, the district headquarters of West Jaintia Hills.

After chairing a meeting to review the COVID-19 situation in the two districts of East and West Jaintia Hills at Jowai, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said, “We have decided to put in the prefab 50-bedded hospital in Jowai.”

He said the hospital will be supported with enough infrastructures so that in case of any eventuality, it could also be used as a paediatric hospital where intensive care unit (ICU) is available for children.

“This is because we don’t know the nature of this virus and we would like to be prepared in advance for the future situation that we may face,” Sangma said.

He further mentioned that the 50-bedded hospital would be similar to the ones which are coming up in Shillong (East Khasi Hills) and Tura (West Garo Hills).

“Again the location will be finalized in the next few days but the decision to implement this (project) has been taken (today),” he added.

The announcement by the chief minister also came in the wake of the recent demand from all the 7 legislators from Jaintia Hills region.

Sangma said apart from that, there are large numbers of facilities being created throughout the West Jaintia Hills district and enough manpower, enough beds and infrastructures, all these arrangements are being made and reviewed.

He informed that the oxygen plants in both Jowai MCH and Khliehriat hospital are at an advanced stage. “The plant in Jowai is expected to be up and running within 2-3 days and in Khliehriat in the next 10-15 days…both these plants will be a great blessing for the people of Jaintia Hills,” he added.

Expressing concern over the positivity rate in the region, the chief minister said in the last two to three days, there has been an increase in the positivity rate in the two districts especially in West Jaintia Hills.

“West Jaintia Hills district as of today has a positivity rate of 33 percent which is three times more than the state average at 12.9 percent. Comparatively the East Jaintia Hills is below the state average but still high at 9 percent,” he said.

According to him, the numbers of deaths taking place both in West and East Jaintia Hills are very high which is almost touching a figure of 65 plus and 30 plus respectively.

“Because of these trends we feel it necessary to come and discuss along with the administration and health departments the steps on how we could contain the situation, bring down the numbers as well as take steps in case the numbers go up to make sure that we have enough manpower and infrastructures out here,” he added.

The other districts which have got a high positivity rate are East Khasi Hills at 19 percent, South West Garo Hills at 12 percent, East Garo Hills at 11 percent, Ri Bhoi at 10 percent while the rest are all below 9 percent.