KARGIL, MAY 06, 2021: Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC, Kargil Feroz Ahmad Khan inaugurated 500 LPM medical grade oxygen concentration plant at the Dedicated COVID-19 Hospital Kurbathang here today.

With the coming up of this second oxygen concentration plant which has been completed at a cost of Rs 1.38 crores under the Special Development Package (SDP), the total oxygen generation capacity for COVID-19 Hospital Kargil has now gone up from the existing 500 LPM to 1000 LPM.

Executive Councillor for Social Welfare Aga Syed Hassan Armaan Mosavi, Executive Councillor for Health Muhammad Ali Chandan, Executive Councillor for Zanskar Affairs Er Phunsog Tashi, Deputy Commissioner and CEO, LAHDC, Kargil Santosh Sukhadeve, Executive Engineer Mechanical Division Om Prakash, Executive Engineer R&B II Kargil Kacho Mehmood Ali Khan, Chief Medical Officer Kargil Dr Munawar Hussain Wazir, Nodal Officer Dedicated COVID-19 Hospital Kargil Dr Abdul Jalil besides other concerned officers were present on the occasion.

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Speaking on the occasion, the CEC said that with the establishment of 1000 liter per minute (LPM) capacity oxygen plants now, oxygen requirements at the Dedicated COVID-19 Hospital Kargil are quite sufficient to meet the existing needs.  

As regards to the preparedness to deal with the COVID-19 prevailing situation, the CEC said that the LAHDC and District Administration, Kargil are fully geared up to fight the pandemic and all necessary arrangements for necessary screening , testing, quarantine and isolation of inbound travellers have been put in place besides adequate medical facilities have also been made available. He further stated that there are adequate number of mega and medium oxygen cylinders and concentrators and 130 bed capacity at the Dedicated COVID-19 Hospital Kargil which is being enhanced to around 240 in the coming days.

While expressing gratitude to the representatives of religious and social organizations and the general public for having extended their active cooperation in containing the spread of COVID-19 in the district till now, CEC Khan urged them to give continued support to the Administration to check the spread of Coronavirus so as to avoid lockdowns and other strict measures.

Underlining the need to follow the quarantine norms without fail, the CEC urged the newly arrived travellers especially youngsters in the district not to venture out of their homes and avoid mingling with family members and friends until their test reports do not come negative, adding he stressed that Covid Appropriate Behaviors must be followed with extreme strictness even if the COVID-19 test reports come negative.

The CEC said that as per experts the new strain of COVID-19 has a higher rate of transmissibility as compared to the previous ones and affects the younger generation more. He said that considering this in view, extra caution needs to be maintained so as to avoid any possible exigency.

Keeping in view the upcoming religious events including Jumat ul Vida, Shab e Qadr and Eid ul Fitr, the CEC urged the public to minimize the religious gatherings as much as possible besides also strictly adhering to the COVID-19 SOPs to prevent the spread of Coronavirus in the district. 

Meanwhile, the oxygen plant operators projected the issue with regard to the enhancement of wages in their favor with the CEC.

The CEC assured the operators that the matter will be actively considered for suitable follow-up.