Government improving health infrastructure for people to get treatment near homes: CM
Ranchi, Jan 12: As the state is rocked by third wave of Covid-19, Jharkhand added to its health infrastructure with chief minister Hemant Soren inaugurating virtually seven Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen generating plants– source of medical grade oxygen.
One of the seven PSA oxygen generating plants was also established at the Catholic Church-backed Mercy Hospital in Baridih, Jamshedpur. Out of the remaining six, two were set up in Ranchi’s Sadar Hospital and one each in Ramgarh Trauma Center, one in Deoghar Sadar Hospital and one each at Chakulia (East Singhbhum) and Kuchai (Saraikela-Kharsawan) Community Health Center in collaboration with Path India which installed the unit.
Speaking on the occasion, Hemant Soren said that efforts are on to strengthen the health system in the state amid the Covid pandemic.
“We are continuously trying to expand health facilities to meet the growing needs especially during pandemic. Health related infrastructure is being strengthened from block to district level, so that people can get better medical benefits in hospitals or health centers near their homes. It is necessary to ensure that whatever health infrastructure has been set up by the government, it is better used in future apart from the corona epidemic.”
The Chief Minister said that about two years ago when the Covid-19 pandemic had started in the whole world, Jharkhand was also no exception to it.
“The biggest challenge before our government was that even the facility of testing for corona was not available in the state. But, today PSA plants have been installed in every district. We have RTPCR testing in all the cities of the state and a state-of-the-art Cobas machine has also been installed at RIMS Ranchi for fast testing. There are about 25,000 beds available in hospitals. Now there is adequate availability of oxygen supported beds, ICU and ventilator in the state. It is the endeavor of the government that no patient should face any kind of problem due to paucity of medical resources,” said Soren.
The Chief Minister said that with better management amidst limited resources, the state waged fight against Corona. “Everyone has seen that we have succeeded to a great extent in controlling the first two waves. Right now the third wave is going on and efforts are being made to control it,” added Soren.
The Chief Minister said that it is difficult to assess how long will the third wave of the pandemic continue.
“But, in such a situation, it is very important for all of us to be careful and alert to avoid its infection. The government is making better medical arrangements. But, along with this, ensuring compliance with the Covid-19 guidelines along with making people aware on how to prevent this epidemic is of paramount importance. The cooperation of all of us is very important in this,” urged Soren.
On this occasion, Health Minister Banna Gupta, Chief Secretary Sukhdev Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, Health Department Arun Kumar Singh, besides Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Rajiv Arun Ekka and Secretary to Chief Minister Vinay Kumar Choubey and Neeraj Jain, Country Director, Path India and Abhijit Sinha, state head of Path India were present.
In the function at Mercy Hospital, East Singhbhum civil surgeon Dr A. K Lal graced the inaugural ceremony.