Sohra MLA Gavin Miquel Mylliem on Wednesday suggested the need to set up Corona Care Centre at Sohra.
He suggested that homestays at Sohra be turned into quarantine centres for those who cannot afford to adhere to laid-down protocols/guidelines of the health department at home.
In a letter to Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma with a copy to health minister AL Hek, the Sohra MLA said, “the state of Meghalaya is facing a real crisis, as we are in the midst of the worst pandemic (novel Coronavirus)”.
“Collectively, we are fighting this war, and by putting mecnanisms in place, hopefully we can prevent unseen attacks coming from this virus that has claimed the precious life of a medical professional and infected 11 others,” the MLA said in the letter.
Mylliem also expressed his deepest gratitude to the state government under the leadership of the chief minister and guidance of health minister Hek.
He also saluted the frontline warriors – doctors, nurses, health staff government officials, paramedics, police and media persons, who risk their life in saving someone’s life and all of those involved including the headmen in preventing the spread of the deadly virus.
The Sohra MLA also recalled discussions during the meeting chaired by the health minister at Sohra on Tuesday related to preparedness against COVID19 in the presence of Shella MLA Balajied K. Synrem, KHADC CEM TW Chyne, and officers of the health department and other officials.
“I want to put forth few suggestions as we are together fighting this war through preparedness and preventive measures in the state as a whole, particularly, East Khasi Hills district where all the active positive COVID19 cases are from the district,” he said.
He pointed out that the Sohra Civil Sub-Division has one Community Health Centre (CHC) catering to the needs of people from near and far -flung areas of both Sohra and Shella Assembly constituencies, and highlighted some of the suggestions raised by members present at the meeting.
Sharing the suggestions, the Sohra MLA stressed the need to set up Corona Care Centre at Sohra as well as in other civil sub-divisions, depending on the situation.
He also stressed on requirement of more PPEs and N95 masks for the frontline workers of Sohra CHC to ensure safety, and considerably minimise risks while performing their duties.
The Sohra MLA also suggested to possibly turn the homestays at Sohra into quarantine centres for those who cannot afford to adhere to laid down protocols /guidelines of the health department at home.
He pleaded for additional ambulances as it is difficult for the Sohra CHC to cater to the medical emergencies with just one ambulance.