Oxygen generation plant at District Hospital Phek inaugurated

Our Correspondent
Kohima, June 23 (EMN): Nagaland on Wednesday inaugurated another pressure swing absorption (PSA) oxygen generation plant at District Hospital Phek, a day after a similar facility was launched in Tuensang.

The much-needed oxygen plant in Phek was jointly inaugurated by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Embassy of Japan to India and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the presence state Health Minister S Pangnyu Phom, Minister Neiba Kronu, Advisor Pukhayi Sumi, Advisor Namri Nchang, MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu, department officials, district task force (DTF) member and civil society leaders.

“Two district hospitals in Tuensang and Phek in Nagaland now have emergency oxygen supplies available, to provide intensive care treatment to the critically ill Covid-19 patients. The plants utilise pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technology to produce up to 800 litres of oxygen per minute,” read an update from the UNDP.

In his address at the inaugural event, Rio expressed happiness to be a part of the launch programme. On behalf of the people of Nagaland, he thanked the government of Japan for sponsoring the oxygen plants through the UNDP.

Acknowledging the Ambassador of Japan to India, Satoshi Suzuki, and UNDP Resident Representative in India, Shoko Noda, Nagaland chief Minister said “Naga people will be indebted to you for all times to come”.

‘This oxygen plant will immensely benefit the people of the state in saving lives,’ he added.

Rio asserted that Nagaland, situated in Northeast India, is in the extreme corner bordering Myanmar and owing to the ‘remoteness, distance, backwardness and a minority’ lag behind in infrastructure, particularly in the health sector.

He stated that it was thoughtful of Japan to help the Northeast and particularly the Nagas by collaborating with UNDP.

The chief minister mentioned that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) project in forest management, which is functional in the state, is also sponsored by the country. 

He informed that in Nagaland, land resources belong to the people wherein the communities are using the fund through the state government partnering with the people for maintaining the environment and conservation of forest. The project is benefitting the people and the world at large, he added.

Meanwhile, Rio reiterated that the contribution of Japan by sponsoring the oxygen generation plant is a ‘real humanitarian’ work for the needy, the people of Northeast India and Nagaland in particular.

While briefly highlighting the ethnicity of Nagas across the region and within the state and its festivals, he invited the embassy of Japan and UNDP to witness the Hornbill Festival, also called festival of festivals, when the pandemic situation improves.

He also expressed hope that the oxygen generation plant would bring much ease to the people and asserted that the state would overcome the pandemic

Meanwhile, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to India, Satoshi Suzuki, in his special address, said the oxygen plant that was inaugurated on Wednesday was part of the eight plants that Japan is aiding in Northeast India.

Suzuki, who joined the event virtually, said he wished he could attend the programme in person and observed that the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic would be ‘over soon’ in India.

Extending solidarity with the people affected by the pandemic, he said ‘Japan stood with India throughout this devastating period’ and that it had been extending emergency assistance like ventilators and oxygen concentrators, and expressed hope that it would help save as many lives as possible.

He said that ‘Japan is here to stay and will constantly work with India for sustainable long term development’.

Northeast significant for Japan

Meanwhile, Suzuki stated that Northeast India was significant for Japan as it was the gateway for the Indo-pacific region and the commerce for India’s Act East policy.

He maintained that the name of Kohima would never be forgotten by the people of Japan and would never forget the kindness and friendship accorded to the Japanese by the people of Nagaland.

Assuring that the partnership between Nagaland and Japan would continue, he said: “We are always happy to extend assistance to the Northeast such as the one (oxygen generation plant) we have handed over today”.

He also exuded hope that the oxygen generation plants (in Tuensang and Phek) would serve well and save many Naga people even in the future.

Earlier in the programme, Shoko Noda lauded the chief minister of Nagaland for his leadership in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic in the state and said that measures taken by the government was “encouraging and inspiring”.

She expressed UNDP’s delight and happiness to be associated with the government of Nagaland and assured continued support.

Noda reiterated that the UNDP was committed to supporting the government of India in the fight against Covid-19 and alleviate the crisis, while acknowledging the government of Japan for the support in setting up the oxygen generation plants in Nagaland. Maintained that the Covid-19 had disrupted a huge number of people, something that was never experienced before, she said it had also drawn the world together, with countries and people, even as strangers, helping each other to overcome the crisis.

She added that the oxygen generation plant at Tuensang and Phek hospitals were testimonies of the world in solidarity in its fight against the pandemic and that the facilities would help and support over 200 beds and ensure uninterrupted flow of oxygen during the present crisis and in future crisis as well.

She stated that the UNDP had been closely working with various states of India and particularly Nagaland to strengthen health infrastructure, and also assisting the vaccination and immunisation of children and pregnant women throughout the state so that every citizen have better access to the healthcare in the years to come.