Befitting measures taken by Administration to deal with COVID-19; Health Services has upgraded its steadfastness

TMI Correspondent

 Port Blair, May 19: The A&N Administration has taken several measures to bring under control the number of COVID positive cases in these Islands and to effectively deal with the situation, all necessary infrastructures have been provided. The per capita doctors availability in A&N Islands is the highest in the country, as there is one doctor for 1152 patients which is better than the national average of one doctor for 15,011 patients. This was stated by Secretary, IP&T, Shri Sunil Kumar Singh while addressing a COVID-19 media briefing held in the conference hall of IP&T on May 18. Elaborating on the number of beds per 1000 population, he said, 3.22 beds per 1000 population are available in the Islands. Altogether, 6376 beds have been created for the COVID patients and it is being used as per the requirement, he said adding that the number of total COVID beds having oxygen supply is 68.83 % which is also the highest in the country.

The Secretary further disclosed that the Islands have sufficient number of Oxygen Concentrators and Oxygen Cylinders. "We have 40 ventilators here and considering the number of cases we have in our Islands, the ventilators are also sufficient in number", he said. The COVID tests per million done in the Islands is also highest in the Country. The vaccination percentage of 45+ has reached to 98.81 and only 1209 under this age group persons have not taken the vaccine. The strength of doctors available in A&N Islands is 347. Due to these timely measures taken by the A&N Administration we are having the lowest number of COVID cases in the country and our COVID positivity rate is just 1.75 percent.

The Secretary said that with the active support of all stakeholders including medical fraternity, Administration, Police, Press and general public, we to a large extent have been able to control the number of COVID cases in Isles but lot more needs to be done. The Secretary also called upon the Islanders to have faith in Doctors who are tirelessly working to save lives.

The Secretary informed that there is no COVID positive case in Nicobar as of now. However, the A&N Administration is taking all steps to strengthen the infrastructure facilities in Nicobar District. Altogether, 24 bedded COVID facility has been set up and in addition to this, the Tribal Council of Nicobar provided 30 handmade beds. The Secretary thanked the Tribal Council for the help provided to A&N Administration.

The Director, ANIIMS, Dr. AK Mandal informed that a roaster for 100 doctors has been created dividing them into 6 wards and there will be 3 doctors in 3 shifts in every ward. Apart from this, a roaster has been prepared for all the paramedical staff too. This will be on a rotational basis and the shift will change every week, he said. He said Oxygen Monitoring Committee has been formed which will monitor the requirement of the oxygen and they will also audit the oxygen supply. The delay in the autopsy has been minimized to 2 to 3 hours now from the earlier 6 hours, he said.

The Director, Health Services, Dr. Omkar Singh informed that as per the protocol for the COVID patients, 80 percent COVID infection is mild in nature which can be treated at home with some medicines and precautions, while 15 percent people need oxygen support and only 5 percent people who become serious, needs ventilator support. He said there are patients who are in home isolation and they should not feel isolated. To take care of them, there are 10 to 12 doctors camping in DC Office from where they enquire about the condition of the patient time to time and the patients have been provided medicine kit also. The basic thing the patient should do is to take sufficient rest, keep themselves hydrated and always watch the saturation for which the District Office has provided pulse oximeter too.

The Director further stated that the Administration is having 400 Oxygen Concentrators and order has been placed for another 1500 Oxygen Concentrators. About the discharge of the patients after recovery, the DHS said that the Govt. has clearly said that if the patient is asymptomatic for three days he can be discharged from hospital and there is no need to test him further for COVID. It has been observed that even after discharge from Hospital some patients need oxygen support. For such patients, oxygen concentrators are provided to the patients so that he can use it staying at home. Altogether, 4 patients are being provided Oxygen Concentrators as per the advice of the doctors, the DHS said adding that excess use of oxygen without the knowledge of the doctors will damage the lungs.

The Nodal Officer, COVID, Dr. Avijit Roy said that the Administration has received 9070 doses of vaccine for inoculation of the same for 18+ beneficiaries. The Govt. has allotted 10,100 doses of vaccine as second quota for 18+ which will be received soon. As per the availability of vaccines in regular intervals we will increase the number of beneficiaries, he added. The online registration for the vaccination through CoWIN portal has already begun today. The vaccination for 300 registered beneficiaries will be done at JNRM from 9.30 am on May 19, 2021, he said.

Citizens’ Corner 20/05/2021

* Health Services is serving at its best now amidst COVID-19 management in the GB Pant Hospital. The Administration has makeover the health sector in a systematic pattern to provide quality treatment to the patients who are coming hospital with different diseases. General public shall have trust on doctors and health workers to overcome from their ailments.

* The current DGP efforts to bring down the bootlegging of all kinds, other cases also dealing with the iron fist and made A&N Police proud of achieving 100% success rate in heinous crime, as solved all 12 cases of heinous crime including 6 murders, 3 attempts to murder and 3 rapes cases. People wish the A&N Police to continue good tradition of 100% success in future too.

* There are many intruders, by producing West Bengal's Identity cards entered into these islands as labours, and Security Agency has unchecked their return after contract and failed to send them back on time. Consequently, politically influenced people as Ex-MP, some Pradhans and Councillors helped them to arrange required Local Identity Cards to convert as islanders to strengthen their vote banks in Andaman Islands from Diglipur to Little Andaman.

* Safe and easy status these days is to be at home only. Unnecessary travel may lead you to make sick of any kind. But, when you feel sick of any kind, then definitely check your health with doctors without the fear of anything. Similarly, apart from the physical health, people should also need to check their psychological health which is as important as physical, especially when everybody is in a kind of isolation these days.

DC (SA) distributes ration kits and appeals general public

Port Blair, May 19: The District Administration is taking all necessary precautions to tackle and control the surge of COVID Cases in South Andaman. As a part of such measures, on May 13, Shri Suneel Anchipaka, Deputy Commissioner (SA) held a meeting with Muslim religious leaders to discuss course of action during Eid-ul-Fitr, visited Urban Health Centres at Shadipur and Dairy farm and distributed ration kits in Old Pahargaon containment zone.

The DC (SA) informed the leaders about rising Covid cases in South Andaman and raised his concern over any large congregation that would lead to outbreak of the virus in the entire community. As such he requested them to perform Eid Namaz from their homes itself for the benefit of public at large. He further requested them to be cautious and take all necessary precautions during the festival by following the protocols and guidelines issued by the Administration. Considering the prevailing situations and the earnest request made by the DC (SA), the leaders voluntarily agreed to not gather in large congregations and to request their community to perform Eid Namaz from their home with family. Further they consented to co-operate with the Administration in all possible manner.

In order to break the COVID chain, religious leaders suggested for complete lockdown in areas of Bambooflat, Wimberley Gunj, Stewart Gunj, Mannarghat and Shoal Bay with effect from 15.05.2021. DC(SA) welcomed their suggestion and requested their co-operation for the same.

Further as part of the field visits, the DC(SA) along with SDM(SA) visitedthe Urban Health Centres at Shadipur and Dairy farm and inquired about the status of vaccination, ILI/SARI cases, home quarantine, surveillance by field staff, ASHA and ANM workers in their respective areas.The DC(SA) further directed them to complete 100% vaccination of all persons above 45 in their area while following strict guidelines issued by GOI.

The DC(SA) along with SDM(SA), AC(U/T) also visited the containment zone in Old Pahargaon and distributed around 100 ration kits to labourers & daily wages earners as an immediate relief.

The DC(SA) appealed to the general public to stay home for their own safety and also for the safety of entire South Andaman District and requested to join hands in the fight against Covid-19, a communication said.

MP suggests Admn. to procuring oxygen from NSRY, if demand increase

Port Blair, May 19: The Member of Parliament, Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma has requested the Chief Secretary of A&N Administration that in order to avoid crisis of oxygen for the patients in the hospital, the hospital should purchase oxygen from others, the Member of Parliament suggests procuring Oxygen from other agencies and seek assistance of NSRY oxygen manufactures also. At present only one oxygen manufacturing company is supplying oxygen to the Health Department as per the rules. The MP also said that the Administration can even take the help of Indian Navy since A&N Command (NSRY) also has oxygen plant in Andaman.

The Chief of Naval Staff has already assured assistance to the Hon'ble Prime Minister on 3rd May, 2021 during meeting.

PM’s VC participated by LG, CS & State Agriculture Awardee

Admiral D K Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), Hon'ble Lt. Governor, A&N Islands and Vice-Chairman, Islands Development Agency alongwith Shri Jitendra Narain, Chief Secretary, A & N Administration participated in the Video-Conference (VC) chaired by Shri Narendra Modi, Hon'ble Prime Minister of India to release 8th instalment of financial benefit under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme (PM-Kisan). Shri Patrick recipient of State Agriculture Award from this UT also interacted with Hon'ble Prime Minister of India.