KARGIL JULY 05, 2021: Lieutenant Governor Ladakh Radha Krishna Mathur today virtually rolled out the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) in the Universal Immunization Programme for eligible children in UT Ladakh at Tourist Facilitation Center (TFC) Kargil. The 3 dose immunization schedule (6th week, 14th week and 9 months of age) will protect children against pneumococcal diseases.

LG Mathur also virtually inaugurated 3 new 100 LPM oxygen generating plants at CHC Drass, Padum Zanskar and CHC Diskit Nubra under the PM CARES Fund which will further enhance the oxygen generating capacity, and the preparations for tackling any possible 3^rd wave of COVID-19 in the UT. With this, Ladakh will become first State/UT in the country to have 30 bedded facilities at CHC level having its own oxygen generating plant.

On the occasion, the LG also virtually launched the reimbursement scheme for travel expenses (air and road travel) of patients and their one attendant referred for specialised treatment outside the UT of Ladakh.

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This scheme will benefit all residents of UT of Ladakh covered under PM-JAY and Universal Health Coverage Schemes which will help all those local residents who have registered under these schemes, and are having golden card. Each golden card holder will be eligible for cashless treatment up to Rs 5 lakhs in all empanelled hospitals in the country.

Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC, Leh Advocate Tashi Gyaltson, Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC, Kargil Feroz Ahmad Khan, Advisor to LG Ladakh Umang Narula, Principal Secretary Health Dr Pawan Kotwal and Director Health Ladakh Dr Phunsog Angchuk attended the launch ceremony through video conference.

Deputy Commissioner and CEO, LAHDC, Kargil Santosh Sukhadeve, Additional SP Kargil Iftikhar Talib Choudhary, CMO Kargil Dr Munawar Hussain Wazir and other concerned officers of Health Department Kargil attended the launch ceremony at Tourist Facilitation Center Kargil.  

The LG Ladakh declared that in case of 18 years and above population, almost 100% vaccination has been covered in terms of the 1^st dose which is an example in the country. He also said that in case of the population above 45+ years, 62% vaccination for second dose has been done so far, and the UT Ladakh will achieve 100% vaccination of both doses by the end of August, 2021.

LG Mathur expressed hope that the 3 de-centralized oxygen plants at Drass, Nubra and Zanskar will help in effectively dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. He also congratulated the people of Ladakh including all religious, political, religious and social organizations for exemplary discipline and cooperation in restricting the COVID-19 pandemic in the UT, adding he also acknowledged the efforts of the Covid warriors especially the doctors and all other healthcare workers.

The LG stated that concerted and focussed efforts and preparations are underway and the UT is better prepared to deal with the 3^rd wave with the present oxygen supply capacity of 2300 litres per minute, and steps are also being taken to achieve the target of 4300 litres per minute oxygen capacity. He said that an experts’ committee has also been constituted to chalk out a plan of action for the contingency of 3^rd wave, and the committee is expected to submit its report soon.

LG Mathur stated that under the visionary guidance and inspiration of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi with focus on test, track and treat, 3.50 lakhs tests have been done in the UT so far which has resulted in tracing 20,000 positive cases during the 1^st and 2^nd wave.

The LG thanked the Government of India for launching the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) and hoped that the vaccination will help in keeping children safe against pneumococcal diseases.

Underlining the importance of public health as a fundamental area, LG Ladakh underlined the need for coordinated efforts by the LAHDCs of Leh and Kargil and PRI members in this regard. He also highlighted the role NGOs and voluntary sector can play in drug control and drug de-addiction measures, and said the Deputy Commissioners of both districts should work on this front.

To extend health consultancy facilities for people in tertiary health care centres especially the rural and far flung areas in the UT, the LG Ladakh said that efforts are on to establish tele-medicine facilities and provide mobile clinics for needy patients on pre-determined dates so that they can avail of health facilities.

CEC, Kargil Feroz Ahmad expressed optimism that the launch of important schemes and inauguration of the oxygen plants will help in giving impetus to the health infrastructure in Ladakh UT and to augment preparations for the 3^rd Covid wave.

CEC, Leh Advocate Tashi Gyaltson congratulated the medical fraternity and said that these oxygen plants will benefit the people of far-flung areas. He suggested tie up with reputed hospitals to treat the patients of Ladakh till the health infrastructure is improved further in Ladakh.

Advisor Ladakh, Umang Narula said that the Health and Education Department has been at the forefront in fighting the global pandemic of COVID-19. He expressed his gratitude and admiration for the tremendous amount of dedication, sincerity and hard work, shown by all the officers of the Health department, right from the doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, ambulance drivers and the safaiwalas in combating COVID-19.

Principal Secretary, Dr Pawan Kotwal added that UT Administration has dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic in a very planned and effective manner, and ensured the treatment of the patients in the hospitals.  He further added that there has been no deficiency of oxygen, and informed that the UT Administration is upgrading the existing infrastructure for which a 90-bedded facility which includes 10 paediatric beds is coming up in both the district hospitals of Leh and Kargil.

He also informed that the UT Administration is working on telemedicine and said that the administration has tied up with PGIMER, Chandigarh in this regard. He further suggested that local traditional medicine Sowa Rigpa and other Ayush therapies would be promoted in UT Ladakh.