No.312/2021-2022 

A review meeting on the ongoing expansion of critical care facility in Mizoram, led by the Health Minister Dr R. Lalthangliana, was held yesterday at the SAD Conference Hall, MINECO.

In attendance were Health & Family Welfare Board Vice-Chairman Dr. ZR Thiamsanga, MLA H&FW Department & Finance Department officials.

Health Minister Dr R. Lalthangliana lauded those present for their continued efforts in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, which has wreaked havoc in the State since March of last year. He however reiterated that the battle is far from over, and focus now should be on bolstering critical care facilities, and stepping up the vaccination drive, especially in remote far-flung areas of the State. He also stated that the Government is planning to set up RT-PCR Laboratory in all Districts of the State in a phased manner.

As per reports from the H&FW Department, the newly expanded Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Ward at Civil Hospital, Aizawl is ready to be made operational, with 10 beds already fully equipped, and another 10 beds at near completion stage. With 25 nurses recently recruited by the Government, there are enough healthcare workers to man these additional beds, it was also reported.  With this expansion, the 5 bedded Medical ICU at Civil Hospital Aizawl will now have 25 ICU beds in total, in addition to which a 4 bedded pediatric ICU and another 4 bedded  Obstetric ICU are also in the final stages of completion.

The 34 bedded ICU at Dedicated COVID Hospital, Zoram Medical College (ZMC) is also being expanded with 20 additional beds in the pipeline, and 50 additional nurses to be recruited by the Government. Efforts are also underway to set up an ICU ward at Civil Hospital, Lunglei, it was also reported at the meeting.