Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Thursday inaugurated a new 100-bedded COVID Block at JNIMS Complex, Imphal East district. This is in addition to the existing COVID Block having 145 beds.

Speaking at the occasion, the Chief Minister urged one and all, who are in the medical profession, to work with more dedication in curbing COVID-19 pandemic. Like soldiers fight in wars to protect the sovereignty of the country, doctors, nurses, paramedical staff and others in the medical profession should lead from the front in tackling the virus because they are the people, who are capable to do this task.

Stating that the Government and the people do understand that medical professionals are working tirelessly in fighting the pandemic, the Chief Minister assured that their grievances and demands would be definitely looked into. However, it is the time only to concentrate on tackling the virus forgetting all the issues because the whole world is facing a situation similar to wartime, he opined. Stating that every human life is precious, the Chief Minister further said that nobody should die due to negligence.

Advisor to CM (Health) Dr. Sapam Ranjan, Chief Secretary Dr. Rajesh Kumar, Principal Secretary (Health) Shri V. Vumlunmang, Director (Health Services) Dr. K. Rajo, JNIMS Director Dr. Th. Bhimo and JNIMS Medical Superintendant Prof. Kh. Lokeshore were also present at the occasion.

The State now has a total of 2759 COVID beds and the present recovery rate from the virus is 87.81 per cent. In JNIMS alone, 92,485 VRDL tests have been conducted so far. The hospital has admitted 1212 COVID-19 patients, out of which 968 have been cured and discharged.