Nagaland: Oxygen generation plant at District Hospital Tuensang inaugurated

Similar plant to be inaugurated in Phek on Wednesday

Our Correspondent
Kohima, June 22 (EMN): Bringing health infrastructure closer to the doors of rural areas in Nagaland, the pressure swing absorption (PSA) oxygen generation plant at District Hospital (DH) Tuensang, which has the capacity to produce 150 LPM (litre per minute) of medical oxygen, was inaugurated on Tuesday.

The oxygen plant was jointly inaugurated by Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Embassy of Japan to India and the UNDP in the presence of state’s Health minister S Pangnyu Phom, NLA members and officials from the Health department and District Task Force (DTF) Tuensang.

In his inaugural address, Rio, on behalf of the state, extended appreciation to the government of Japan which sponsored the oxygen plant through the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP).

Mentioning that the international community was helping with other similar plants in the state, he said Nagaland was grateful to them.

Besides the UNDP that has come forward to support the state, Rio highlighted various international agencies such as United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organisation (WHO), CDC and Estonia that have also assured to help.

‘We need your support very badly at this time of Covid-19 pandemic,’ said the chief minister, while asserting that Nagaland is a small state in the north-eastern region lagging behind in infrastructure and medical facilities.

He added that Nagaland would remain indebted to the government of Japan and the UNDP for the help extended.

Meanwhile, Rio stated that the Japanese were known to the Nagas for their participation in the Second World War (WWII). He also pointed out that the Japanese and the Nagas had many similarities in terms of physical appearance and food habits among others.

Further, he expressed hope that the oxygen generation plant at Tuensang would bring much ease to the people of the district and the state, and that the health workers would make good use of the facility to save lives.

Phom, also extended his gratitude on behalf of the state for helping the district to be at par with the rest of state.

He thanked UNDP for working with the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the state’s Health department to help increase the capacity of oxygen supply in hospitals situated in remote areas.

He also acknowledged of the government of Japan and the UNDP India for strengthening the health and social protection systems as well as reviving livelihood to address the devastating impact of the pandemic on the lives of the most affected population.

The Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP, Nadia Rashid, addressed the gathering virtually and gave an overview of the UNDP Covid-19 response while Shingo Miyamato, Minister Embassy of Japan to India, delivered a special address.

Oxygen plant at Phek

Meanwhile, sources from District Hospital Phek had informed Eastern Mirror on Monday that installation of the oxygen generation plant at the health facility had been completed and the facility would be inaugurated on Wednesday.

The oxygen plant, which has a capacity of 150 Litre Per Minute (LPM), will be inaugurated jointly by Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Embassy of Japan to India and UNDP.

It was informed that Rio will deliver the inaugural address at the site, while UNDP Resident Representative in India, Shoko Noda will give an overview of the UNDP Covid-19 response virtually and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to India, Satoshi Suzuki will also speak at the event.

The oxygen plant is also sponsored by Japan through the UNDP.