Covid-19 infection is rising in rural areas of Manipur due to lack of awareness, inadequate infrastructure and failure to follow COVID SOPs: Health Director Dr K. Rajo

Health Services Director Doctor K. Rajo has highlighted the plights facing health and other relevant officials in administering COVID-19 Vaccine to inhabitants residing in far-flung areas of Manipur. Briefing media on the current status of covid-19 pandemic in Manipur at the Medical Directorate in Lamphel, today, Doctor K. Rajo said, Government is leaving no stone unturned in reaching out covid vaccination drive to beneficiaries in every nook and corner of the state, but bad road connectivity, shortage of man power and lack of awareness on the benefits of COVID-19 vaccine are major stumbling blocks. 

Dr. K.,Rajo also informed that efforts are on to increase the number of Community quarantine centres in the State. He said, community halls and schools will be converted into quarantine centres if required. He reminded that as per the Government's order issued on July 26, meals are being provided to inmates of covid care centres in the state. Stating that Government is carrying out mass awareness on covid appropriate behaviours, vaccination drive and mass covid testing on war footing in the State, the health director appealed for public support in fighting covid-19 pandemic. 

Speaking further, the Health Directior highlighted the current status of COVID-19 Situation in Manipur. He said, covid-19 infection is gradually declining in the urban areas of Manipur while it is steadily increasing in the rural areas. Dr K. Rajo cited lack of awareness and failure to maintain COVID-appropriate behaviours as reasons behind the surging COVID-19 infection rate in rural areas. He also informed that in the past 10 days, covid infection is highest in Imphal West District followed by Imphal East, Bishnupur and Thoubal District. While in the Hill districts, Churachandpur has the highest infection rate followed by Chandel, Kangpokpi and Noney District. While, covid fatality rate in the state stands average compared to the last highest number of deaths.

Dr. K Rajo also said that Manipur has so far logged 7 Black Fungus cases out of which two patients have died and 5 are undergoing treatment. The Health Director assured that State Government is making all out efforts to pay extra service pay and other due incentives to health workers including doctors and nurses. He also expressed sadness that two doctors in Manipur have succumbed to COVID-19 and informed that their families have been provided an Ex-Gratia amount of 50 lakh rupees each by the Government. Dr Rajo called for collective efforts of health professionals, government and the public in battling COVID-19 Pandemic.

Govt assures adequate fertilisers but farmers get none

Farmers in Manipur continue to face unavailability of fertilisers despite assurances and tall claims about availability of adequate fertilisers in the state by Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren, Agriculture Minister Oinam Lukhoi and other relevant leaders.

State Agriculture Minister Oinam Lukhoi and Agriculture Director have reportedly assured of providing fertilisers to farmers of Kumbi Setupur in Bishnupur District but they are yet to get the same till date. Farmers are getting worried as the paddy plantation season is right about now.

Speaking on behalf of the distraught farmers today, Executive Member of Gram Sabha Committee, Bharatiya Kisan Sangh Manipur Prant, Bishnupur District cum National Awardee Kh. Samusaba Meitei expressed worry that many farmers are yet to start paddy plantation due to late onset of monsoon this year. He said, some farmers with much difficulty started paddy transplantation in some fields but the lack of fertilisers is a worrying issue at the moment.

Kh. Samusaba Meitei appealed to the Government, the Agriculture Department and other authorities concerned to take stock of the situation and ease paddy cultivation to avoid scarcity of rice in the future. He warned of intense agitations if their demand is not met.

No death among those infected with coronavirus after full vaccination: JNIMS

Director of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences JNIMS - Professor Dr. Laishram Deben has informed that as per a study carried out by JNIMS, there is no report of death among those infected with coronavirus after getting both doses of covid-19 vaccine till date. He has called for timely testing and vaccination to ward off the disease. Dr. L Deben also stressed on the need for collective efforts by Health Professionals, Government and the public in controlling further spread of Covid-19 pandemic in the State. He urged everyone to follow COVID appropriate behaviours to combat coronavirus which is airborne.

Speaking to media at JNIMS Hospital in Porompat today, Dr L. Deben said that the state Government has clamped statewide total curfew to break the chain of Covid-19 infection. He went on to say that, doctors and nurses are tirelessly giving treatment to covid patients admitted at the general ward, ICU and post covid wards of the hospital. He also asserted that around 240 covid patients are being treated at the 190 bedded General ward of JNIMS.

Dr L. Deben informed that anyone can get free Covid-19 test at JNIMS Hospital on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with prior registration while, casualty ward patients can get covid-19 test in the hospital 24 hours a day. He also urged people to get proper treatment at Government run Covid care centres, if they don't have proper home isolation facilities.