Tura, May 6: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday reviewed the health care infrastructure and preparedness of West Garo Hills in view of the surge in Covid cases across the State.

He held consultative meetings with officials of the administration and health department at Circuit House, Tura in presence of North Tura MLA Thomas A Sangma, Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh, senior medical officers, different stakeholders including leaders of faith organizations.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister issued necessary directions to the authorities to be prepared with all possibilities to deal with the pandemic.

Visited Tura Civil Hospital where an #Oxygen Generation Plant funded by @UNDP_India is in the making. The bed capacity of the hospital is being increased and an ICU Unit is also being developed to handle the ongoing #Covid Second Wave. @drharshvardhan pic.twitter.com/mvqZ8mKM4C

— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) May 6, 2021

“It is important that the community and different stakeholders collaborate with the government by playing an important role in sensitizing the masses on the importance of vaccination as a shield to fight Covid,” the Chief Minister said.

He also informed that the positivity rate in Tura as of now was 6-7 percent.

“I am satisfied with the preparedness and the infrastructure arrangement made in the district by the administration and health authorities. The oxygen and other facilities are adequate and efforts are being made to speed up up-gradation of health infrastructure, including setting up of Covid ICU at Maternity & Child Hospital and Tura Civil Hospital,” he said.

He also urged the public to follow all necessary protocols related to Covid by using double mask, hand sanitisation, and avoid crowded places.

After holding the consultation meeting at circuit house Tura, he visited different health infrastructure in the town including Tura Maternity and Child Hospital, Tura Civil Hospital and the Corona Care Centre at SMELC, Dakopgre.

Earlier in the day, he inspected the site for the installation of the Cryogenic Oxygen Generation Plant at Baljek, near Jengjal in West Garo Hills. “I am hopeful that the plant will cater to the need of five district of Garo Hills, and West Khasi Hills, as the location is strategic,” he informed.

He later visited the Bio-Medical Waste Disposal Plant near ISBT in Tura. He informed that the construction is underway and will soon be completed.