Shillong, May 12: Meghalaya health minister AL Hek on Wednesday, visited NEIGRIHMS hospital to review the preparedness of the hospital to deal with COVID-19 situation in the state.

Health minister who was accompanied by Director of Health Services Dr Aman Warr, were apprised of the situation.

Director of NEIGRIHMS, P Bhattacharya, informed that to increase beds with Oxygen would be difficult and fall short of staff.

Bhattacharya said that the he doesn’t have the power to recruit more than what has been sanctioned by the central government, it requires more budget to increase the manpower to tackle COVID-19 situation.

At present there is a total of 100 oxygen beds, 30 beds for COVID-19 related cases and an additional 25 COVID-19 ICU beds.

The hospital has also called in interns and MBBS students to volunteer at the hospital, they have also been trained to deal with COVID-19 cases. Bhattacharya informed that the hospital working as a team.

Hek said that he was happy to look at the preparedness of the hospital. He added that the state government is ready to support and co-operate with NEIGRIHMS hospital if they need any help. He has also directed the hospital to ensure to cater to all patients.

“The hospital will cater to every individual who requires treatment, be it VIP or common man. We have discussed with the director that patients with other ailments should not be left out,” said Hek.