Lieutenant Governor, Radha Krishna Mathur virtually rolled out the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) under Universal Immunization Programme for eligible children in UT Ladakh on July 5  at Tourist Facilitation Center,  Kargil.

The 3 dose immunization schedule (6th week, 14th week and 9 months of age) will protect children against pneumococcal diseases.

LG Mathur also virtually inaugurated 3 new 100 LPM oxygen generating plants at CHC Drass, Padum Zanskar and CHC Diskit Nubra under the PM CARES Fund which will further enhance the oxygen generating capacity, and the preparations for tackling any possible 3rd wave of COVID-19 in the UT. With this, Ladakh will become the first State/UT in the country to have 30 bedded facilities at CHC level having its own oxygen generating plant.

The reimbursement scheme for travel expenses (air and road travel) of patients and their one attendant referred for specialised treatment outside the UT of Ladakh was also launched. This scheme will benefit all residents of UT of Ladakh covered under PM-JAY and Universal Health Coverage Schemes which will help all those residents who have registered under these schemes and are having the golden card. Each golden cardholder will be eligible for cashless treatment up to Rs 5 lakh in all empanelled hospitals in the country.

CEC, LAHDC, Leh Advocate Tashi Gyaltson; CEC, LAHDC, Kargil, Feroz Ahmad Khan; Advisor to LG Ladakh, Umang Narula; Principal Secretary Health, Dr Pawan Kotwal and Director Health Ladakh, Dr Phunsog Angchuk attended the launch ceremony through video conference.

LG Ladakh declared that in the case of 18 years and above population, almost 100% vaccination has been covered in terms of the 1st dose which is an example in the country. He also said that in the case of the population above 45+ years, 62% vaccination for the second dose has been done so far, and UT Ladakh will achieve 100% vaccination of both doses by the end of August 2021.

He expressed hope that the 3 de-centralized oxygen plants at Drass, Nubra and Zanskar will help in effectively dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. He also congratulated the people of Ladakh including all religious, political, religious and social organizations for exemplary discipline and cooperation in restricting the COVID-19 pandemic in the UT. He also acknowledged the efforts of the Covid warriors especially the doctors and all other healthcare workers. He stated that concerted and focussed efforts and preparations are underway and the UT is better prepared to deal with the 3rd wave with the present oxygen supply capacity of 2300 litres per minute, and steps are also being taken to achieve the target of 4300 litres per minute oxygen capacity. He said that an experts’ committee has also been constituted to chalk out a plan of action for the contingency of the 3rd wave, and the committee is expected to submit its report soon.

LG Mathur stated that under the visionary guidance and inspiration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a focus on the test, track and treat, 3.50 lakhs tests have been done in the UT so far which has resulted in tracing 20,000 positive cases during the 1st and 2ndwave.

LG Mathur thanked the Government of India for launching the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) and hoped that the vaccination will help in keeping children safe against pneumococcal diseases.

Underlining the importance of public health as a fundamental area, he underlined the need for coordinated efforts by the LAHDCs of Leh and Kargil and PRI members in this regard. Also, he highlighted the role NGOs and the voluntary sector that can play in drug control and drug de-addiction measures and said the Deputy Commissioners of both districts should work on this front.

To extend health consultancy facilities for people in tertiary health care centres especially the rural and far-flung areas in UT, LG Ladakh said that efforts are on establishing telemedicine facilities and provide mobile clinics for needy patients on pre-determined dates so that they can avail themselves of health facilities.

CEC, Kargil, Feroz Ahmad expressed optimism that the launch of important schemes and inauguration of the oxygen plants will help in giving impetus to the health infrastructure in Ladakh UT and to augment preparations for the 3rd Covid wave.

CEC, Leh Advocate Tashi Gyaltson congratulated the medical fraternity and said that these oxygen plants will benefit the people of far-flung areas. He suggested a tie-up with reputed hospitals to treat the patients of Ladakh till the health infrastructure is improved further in Ladakh.

Advisor Ladakh, Umang Narula said that the Health and Education Department has been at the forefront in fighting the global pandemic of COVID-19. He expressed his gratitude and admiration for the tremendous amount of dedication, sincerity and hard work, shown by all the officers of the Health department, right from the doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, ambulance drivers and the safaiwalas in combating COVID-19.

Principal Secretary, Dr Pawan Kotwal added that UT Administration has dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic in a very planned and effective manner, and ensured the treatment of the patients in the hospitals.  He further added that there has been no deficiency of oxygen, and informed that the UT Administration is upgrading the existing infrastructure for which a 90-bedded facility which includes 10 paediatric beds is coming up in both the district hospitals of Leh and Kargil.

He also informed that the UT Administration is working on telemedicine and said that the administration has tied up with PGIMER, Chandigarh in this regard. He further suggested that local traditional medicine Sowa Rigpa and other Ayush therapies would be promoted in UT Ladakh.