Tura, June 22: Three civil hospitals across the State, viz. Tura, Nongpoh and Jowai, now have emergency oxygen supply available to provide intensive care treatment to the critically ill COVID-19 patients. The plants utilise Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) technology to produce up to 800 litres per minute (LPM) of oxygen.
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 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The plants have the capacity to serve approximately 1,300 beds.
Launching the plants in Tura on Tuesday, Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad K. Sangma said, “I would like to thank UNDP, the people of Japan and the Government of Japan for contributing to this crisis management and enabling the state of Meghalaya to fight Covid in a stronger way”.
A momentous occasion as Meghalaya inaugurates 3 Oxygen Generation Plants today funded by @IndianEmbTokyo & @UNDP_India. Along with H.E @EOJinIndia & officials of UNDP, we inaugurated the O2 Plant at Tura Civil Hospital.@drharshvardhan pic.twitter.com/T7wcZmXCXz
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) June 22, 2021
On India’s relationship with Japan, the Chief Minister added, “The relationship between Japan and India has been growing from strength to strength. The Hon’ble Prime Ministers of both India and Japan have expressed their desire for the two nations to work together and many areas of collaboration are taking place today”.
Thanking the Government of Japan the Chief Minister concluded, “In crisis like these, the true nature of our relationship comes out. This help only confirms and strengthens the relationship of Japan and India”.
Two other PSA plants were simultaneously inaugurated in the State, Health Minister, A. L. Hek inaugurated PSA Plant at Nongpoh Civil Hospital and Jowai MLA, W. Shylla inaugurated the PSA Plant at Jowai MCH Hospital.
UNDP, Government of Japan come forward in fight against COVID-19
To support the Government of India’s ongoing COVID-19 response, UNDP together with the Government of Japan’s support is strengthening the health and social protection systems, most importantly reviving the livelihoods, targeting the most vulnerable population.
“As a good friend and partner of India, Japan is very happy to strengthen the capacity of health facilities in Meghalaya in partnership with UNDP. We hope that our contribution will help save more lives,” stated Satoshi Suzuki, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of India.
“UNDP stands committed to support the government of India with support from donors, development partners and UN sister agencies. I am happy that our several months of effort to procure, build capacity of hospital staff and set the plants up and running has come to fruition. Together, we can better prepare for future crises,” stated Shoko Noda, UNDP Resident Representative in India.
