The biggest positive outcome of the Covid-19 pandemic has been the overhaul and renewed focus to healthcare infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh which has been for long lagging behind in this important sector. Prior to the pandemic, district hospitals lacked critical care equipment and support such as ICUs, Oxygen plants and trained manpower which has been addressed to an extent now.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu recently admitted that the pandemic has been an ‘eye-opener’ for the state government prompting it to revamp the health sector in the last 18 months which it could not do in decades. He said that the government has ‘learnt the lesson the hard way’ due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and is developing the sector through the creation of infrastructure.
In Arunachal Pradesh, 44 PSA plants are being installed covering all districts of the state. Till date, 31 PSA oxygen plants have been successfully installed and another 13 plants are under various stages of installation/commissioning. Once all the plants are installed, oxygen generation capacity through PSA Plants will be more than 12,000 litre per minute (approx. 12,650 LPM). With this capacity, 1,200 beds can be supported with continuous oxygen supply at 10 LPM.
It is interesting to note that during mid of April this year, State had only 163 oxygen supported beds and as of 5th September, it has increased to 1013 oxygen supported beds, 63 Ventilators are functional allotted under PM CARES, 148 personnel trained and 49 ICU beds.
The pandemic compelled an aggressive push from the government to ramp up healthcare in the face of a highly infectious virus. The progress in health infrastructure can be termed astounding for a small state like Arunachal who was insufficient and dependent on Assam even for its oxygen needs. The pandemic has shown where the government’s focus must be going forward and it has also shown that if anything was lacking earlier it was political will to do better.
With the pandemic receding in Arunachal currently, the government must not lower its guard but keep the momentum going. The state has opened up for tourists, opened educational institutions and businesses and it must be prepared for any spike in Covid cases. We are still looking at a possible third wave which can strike us at any time, being prepared and ready will make all the difference.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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