Manipur health and family welfare minister L Jayantakumar Singh on Tuesday said the screening of air passengers at Imphal Airport is going on in the wake of the outbreak of novel coronavirus.
The Manipur health minister also said the screening of people at the surface points of entry in the state has also been underway.
The surface points of entry in the state include at Gate No 1 and 2 of Moreh town, Jiribam, Beihang, Sinjol, Tusom, Kamjong, and Mao Gate.
Responding to a question raised by opposition Congress MLA Surjakumar Okram in the Manipur Assembly on Tuesday, minister Jayantakumar said the total number of persons coming to Manipur from China and other coronavirus-hit countries is 248 as of February 17.
Nine suspected cases of novel coronavirus were tested and results of seven test samples received and all were found to be negative, he said.
Out of the two awaited results, one test result received today is also tested negative.
Informing the Assembly regarding the measures taken to tackle the situation, the Manipur health minister said sample collection and testing is done as per the Standard Operating Procedure of the government of India.
He said rapid response teams are alert at the state and district levels.
Sharing of information, education and communication on print and electronic media by the directorate of health services continue on regular basis, sensitisation programmes at the state, district and community levels are being carried out by the health authorities regularly, he said.
He also said time to time video conferencing with the ministry of health and family welfare and regular correspondence with the National Centre for Disease Control New Delhi on preparedness, update and feedback are being conducted.
In reply to another question by opposition MLA AK Mirabai Devi, who represents Patsoi Assembly constituency, minister Jayantakumar informed the House that the government has acquired land for construction of a State Mental Hospital at Salam Keikhu village in Imphal West district.
The hospital will be constructed at an area of 8.10 acres, which is under active process, he said.
The health minister also said the District Mental Health programme is being implemented under the National Mental Health program in the state.
The training of medical officers, nurses and paramedical staff for early detection and treatment of mental health disorders is being done at the community level, he added.
