District hospitals in Hills capable of tackling COVID-19 threat, says Thapa
Darjeeling: Both the district hospitals in Darjeeling and Kalimpong are well equipped to face the COVID-19 threat, stated Anit Thapa, chairman, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) on Friday.
"We have adequate number of PPEs to deal with this current situation," said Thapa. Thermal scanners have been given to all the block health centres and quarantine centres in Kalimpong by the GTA.
Thermal scanners are also being given to 4 hospitals under the cinchona plantation. Scanners will be given to all block hospitals and quarantine centres in the GTA area as well.
"Right now my concentration is Kalimpong and thus for all medical equipments priority will be given to Kalimpong district," stated Thapa.
Incidentally, a 45-year-old woman from Kalimpong died recently, after testing positive for COVID-19. Following the incident, four of her family members tested positive as well.
Swab tests of 6 more persons who had come in contact with her tested positive on Thursday. They have been shifted from Kalimpong to North Bengal Medical College. However, the doctor from Kalimpong who had checked the deceased has tested negative.
Thapa is presently camping in Kalimpong, overseeing arrangements to counter the pandemic. He is also overseeing the setup of a new 40 bed quarantine centre at the CMOH quarter in Kalimpong.
"We have procured PPEs from the donations made by former MLA Amar Singh Rai. The PPEs will be given to Kalimpong Hospital first. The GTA has procured 700 more PPEs for the two districts, which will arrive by next week," added Thapa.
The chairman stated that the GTA and district administration have worked relentlessly to put in place the required medical equipment in this hour of crisis.
"I appeal to all the doctors and other medical workers including nurses who are working in private hospitals and clinics or working in other parts of the country to please volunteer to come forward and help the GTA to fight this pandemic," Thapa urged the people. Surendra Gupta, principal secretary, GTA, will be visiting Kalimpong on Saturday to take stock of the situation.
