Pandemic an eye-opener, state needs to strengthen health sector: Mein  

ITANAGAR, May 3: A 7-member high-level team led by Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein undertook a 2-day visit to the districts of Eastern Arunachal along Arunachal-Assam border to take stock of planning, preparedness and implementation of Covid-19 response by the respective District Administrations.
The team comprising Minister Health Alo Libang, MP Tapir Gao, State BJP President Biyuram Wahge, Namsai MLA Chau Zingnu Namchoom, Secretary Health P. Parthiban and Secretary Disaster Management Dani Salu visited Deomali, Changlang and Namsai on May 2 and on the following day visited Roing, Pasighat and Likabali. 
On the first day of the tour, the team took review meetings with the DAs of Tirap, Changlang and Namsai at Deomali, Changlang and Namsai respectively and conducted similar meetings with the DAs of Lower Dibang Valley, East Siang and Lower Siang districts at Roing, Pasighat and Likabali.
During the meetings, Mein informed that state government is continuously monitoring the preparedness and management of Covid-19 in the state which is also simultaneously monitored at the highest level by the union government. While asking the DAs to keep strict vigil at check gates on entry and movement of stranded people and the state’s students who would be returning home, DCM advised them to take due precautions to check every returnee to prevent spread of the virus. He stated the pandemic is an eye-opener which has taught lessons regarding the need to strengthen the state’s health sector with latest and innovative technologies, adding that since Arunachal has been categorized as a green zone, economic activities as per MHA guidelines have to be allowed by DAs to help the small growers and traders. He appealed the DAs to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential commodities and sensitize people to wear mask and maintain social distancing. Mein while commending the Lohit District Administration for their resilience, hard work and commitment in dealing with the state’s lone Covid-19 positive case, assured there would be no dearth of fund in tackling the pandemic.
Reminding the criticality of the coming days as many stranded people would be returning to state from other states which could also include hotspot zones, Health Minister directed the DAs to initiate proper planning for checking and ensuring the quarantine process. Gao expressed hope that full preparation has been made by the respective DAs for facing the returnees. The team was apprised by the DCs and DMOs about their strategies and experience, actions taken so far, isolation and quarantine facilities and emergency services apart from measures taken to ensure supply of essential goods to the citizens and the number of people currently under quarantine.
The team also visited the dedicated Covid-19 hospital in Pasighat and inspected the control rooms, mobile sample collection kiosks at check gates, Covid-19 care centres, isolation wards & quarantine centres at Deomali, Changlang, Namsai, Roing and Pasighat. DCM Media Cell

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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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