Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio launching the oxygen generation plant in Phek on June 23.
Kohima, June 23 (MExN): An oxygen generation plant was launched by the Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio at District Hospital, Phek on June 23.
The plant was installed following collaboration between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Japan.
“We are indebted for this help, the one that strengthens our health facility and furthers our ability to be able to succeed in mitigating this unprecedented health crisis,” Rio stated expressing gratitude to UNDP and Government of Japan.
The Chief Minister sought for continuous support of the public as many developmental activities are taking place, a DIPR report informed.
Deputy Commissioner, Phek, Razouvolie Dozo gave the welcome address while Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare, Amardeep Singh Bhatia presented an overview of the UNDP COVID-19 Response at the launching programme. Vote of thank was delivered by Chief Medical Officer Phek, Dr Khriezotuo Paphino.
“Japan is always happy to provide development assistance to the Northeast, feeling a special closeness based on our shared history. I hope that these Oxygen Generating Plants will serve well and help as many the people as possible for a long time to come,” Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of India, Suzuki Satoshi, was quoted as saying in the report.
Shoko Noda, UNDP Resident Representative in India also noted that “UNDP stands committed to supporting the government of India to fight COVID-19, in partnership with development partners and UN sister agencies. I am pleased that our several months of effort to provide end to end service, to install and set the oxygen generation plants up and running has come to fruition.”
Minister, Health & Family Welfare, Pangnyu Phom; Minister, Planning & Co-ordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs, Neiba Kronu; MLA, Azo Nienu, seniors government officials and public leaders attended the launching programme, the report added.
Meanwhile, 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, a joint statement issued by the Government of Nagaland, Embassy of Japan and the UNDP noted on June 23.
A total of eight oxygen generation plants are being installed in the Northeast states of Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura with the help of the Government of Japan and UNDP. The plants have the capacity to serve approximately 1,300 beds, it added.
