Lieutenant Governor, RK Mathur reviewed the preparedness of the Health Department to deal with COVID-19 on May 8.

Director Health, Dr. Phuntsog Angchuk informed about the existing facilities at SNM hospital, Mahabodhi, Heart Foundation and District Hospital, Kargil as well as all other health facilities and plans to augment the infrastructure. 

L-G Mathur emphasized that Ladakh must be fully equipped with a complete set of facilities such as hospital beds, oxygen supply, medicines, additional manpower etc., stating that augmentation of all feasible and required infrastructure, supplies and manpower should be ensured.

The department should also explore the feasibility of setting up special Pediatric COVID wards keeping in view the availability of paediatricians in Ladakh for managing these facilities, he added.

The meeting further deliberated upon achieving vaccination goals and imposing stricter restrictions with emphasis on COVID appropriate behaviour and intensifying RT-PCR tests to control the situation.

Assessing the ongoing vaccination drive, LG Mathur stated that the department must ensure that the vulnerable and frontline populace in the 18-45 age categories must be prioritized for vaccination, while ensuring zero percentage of wastage. 

The Director Health was instructed to expedite the works on the three new oxygen plants proposed - Drass, Padum and Diskit - and make them functional at the earliest. 

Principal Secretary, Dr. Pawan Kotwal informed LG Mathur that the “Site Readiness Certificates” of the three oxygen generating plants has been approved by GoI and that civil and mechanical works are going on at these sites. 

“The oxygen plants will be dispatched by the supplier shortly and that the plants will be commissioned by the end of May 2021,” informed Dr. Kotwal.  

DC Kargil, Santosh Sukhadeve informed that NHPC has agreed to provide a 2x500 LPM oxygen plant for Kargil. A plant of similar capacity is proposed to be set up at Leh to augment the oxygen generating capacity from the present 1000 LPM to 2000 LPM.  

Highlighting the importance for all doctors to stay updated with the latest COVID guidelines, LG Mathur advised all doctors to attend the weekly AIIMS conference and further disseminate the information amongst their colleagues. He also instructed the department to strictly monitor the Genome Sequencing sample reports.  

LG Mathur stated that while all infrastructures are being put in place, stricter control on entrance into Ladakh must be ensured by both Deputy Commissioners. He also directed the setting up of UT and District control rooms and also emphasized telemedical consultation in Leh and Kargil.