Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC, Kargil, Feroz Ahmad Khan inaugurated 500 LPM medical grade oxygen concentration plant at the dedicated COVID-19 Hospital, Kurbathang on May 6.

With the coming up of this second oxygen concentration plant which has been completed at a cost of ₹1.38 crores under the Special Development Package (SDP), the total oxygen generation capacity for COVID-19 Hospital Kargil has now gone up from the existing 500 LPM to 1000 LPM.

Feroz Ahmed Khan said that with the establishment of 1000 litre per minute (LPM) capacity oxygen plants, oxygen requirements at the dedicated COVID-19 Hospital Kargil are quite sufficient to meet the existing needs.  Regarding preparedness to deal with the COVID-19 prevailing situation, he said that the LAHDC and District Administration, Kargil are fully geared up to fight the pandemic and all necessary arrangements for necessary screening, testing, quarantine, and isolation of inbound travellers have been put in place besides adequate medical facilities have also been made available. 

He further stated that there are an adequate number of mega and medium oxygen cylinders and concentrators and 130 bed capacity at the dedicated COVID-19 Hospital Kargil which is being enhanced to around 240 in the coming days.

While expressing gratitude to the representatives of religious and social organizations and the general public for having extended their active cooperation in containing the spread of COVID-19 in the district till now, CEC Khan urged them to give continued support to the Administration to check the spread of Coronavirus to avoid lockdowns and other strict measures.

Underlining the need to follow the quarantine norms without fail, CEC urged the newly arrived travellers especially youngsters in the district not to venture out of their homes and avoid mingling with family members and friends until their test reports do not come negative.

He informed that as per experts the new strain of COVID-19 has a higher rate of transmissibility as compared to the previous ones and affects the younger generation more. He said that considering this in view, extra caution needs to be maintained to avoid any possible exigency.

Keeping in view the upcoming religious events including Jumat ul Vida, Shab e Qadr and Eid ul Fitr, CEC urged the public to minimize the religious gatherings as much as possible besides also strictly adhering to the COVID-19 SOPs to prevent the spread of Coronavirus in the district. 

Meanwhile, the oxygen plant operators demanded enhancement of wages. CEC assured the operators that the matter will be actively considered for suitable follow-up.