Chief Minister N. Biren Singh today distributed banners and pamphlets to various societies and associations in the state in connection with COVID-19 awareness campaign at a function organized by Health Department, Government of Manipur held at Chief Minister’s Secretariat.

The pamphlets, which were distributed to Manipur State Transport, Transporter Drivers Council, Interstate bus Association, Auto rickshaws, Magic and Wingers Association, District Transport Officers, Anganwadi Workers, Farmers, ASHA Workers, ANM Workers and Labourers, contain Covid Appropriate Behaviours like wearing mask, frequent hand washing and maintaining physical distancing.

N. Biren Singh while addressing the media said that a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), taking into considerations the role to be played by CSOs, locals club and other stakeholders, will be issued for implementation and appealed to the people of the state to strictly comply the SOP so that we could collectively work together and defeat COVID-19. He further stated that obeying the SOPs would be the only means to combat this pandemic.

He also added that a new Office with a toll free number will be opened soon, with the involvement of local clubs, Civil Society Organisations, ASHA workers among others, to give mass awareness to individuals residing in every nook and corners of the State. He also maintained that a new way of fighting the pandemic had become necessary with the involvement of each and every citizen of the State as prevention from the pandemic depends much on the behaviour of each individual.

He further stated that treatment of COVID-19 has now been covered under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme and the State Government would also soon approve such coverage of treatment under the Chief Minister-gi Hakshelgi Tengbang (CMHT). In order to motivate the frontline workers to provide their valuable services in the same pace, frontline workers would be covered with a life insurance scheme till 2021, he added.

Informing the media about the expenditure made by the State Government on COVID-19, the Chief Minister said that a total of around Rs 62 crore had been spent so far including Rs 26.68 crore in Quarantine Centres, Rs 3.39 crore on medical equipment, Rs 2.59 crore on COVID testing machines and kits, Rs 5.33 crore on Covid Care Centres, Rs 2.53 crore on the ambulance, Rs 3.46 crore on police, transport and Manipur Bhavans and Rs 19 crore from Chief Minister’s Covid-19 Relief Fund on relief measures given to migrants.

N. Biren Singh also maintained that his Government had been taking up concerted steps to increase the number of Covid beds in hospitals. 40 more beds will be added in RIMS and JNIMS each to their present capacities while 50 beds had been set up at Shija Hospital and another 36 will be ready within a month. The Government is also taking up steps to increase the number of beds at the district level to ensure necessary treatment of Covid patient at their respective districts, he added.

During the programme, the Chief Minister led all the others present at the venue in taking a pledge to fight COVID-19.

Advisor to Chief Minister (Health), Dr. Sapam Rajan Singh, Principal Secretary (Health & Family Welfare), V. Vumlunmang, Officials of different Departments, Anganwadi Workers, ASHA Workers, ANM Workers and representatives of drivers associations among others attended the programme.

It may be mentioned that the banners and pamphlets were distributed citing the need for giving awareness and mass involvement of every individual of the State in successfully fighting the deadly virus.