200-bed ICU complex made operational in GMC

Special Correspondent

GUWAHATI, July 06 2021: Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma Tuesday dedicated the newly-constructed 200-bed ICU complex at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital here adding teeth to the state’s relentless fight against Covid-19 pandemic.

The ICU with the 200 beds, four dialysis beds, 80000 litre liquid medical oxygen tank and fire detection and prevention system have been created involving an expenditure of Rs 20 crore. Chief Minister Dr. Sarma in the same programme presented appointment letters to 896 GNMs under National Health Mission (NHM).

Chief Minister on the occasion felicitated Chief General Managers of State Bank of India and SIDBI and Executive Director IOCL, Guwahati who helped the State government in setting up the 200-bed ICU complex as a part of their corporate social responsibility programme.

It may be mentioned that when the first wave Covid-19 pandemic hit the state last year Guwahati had only 67 ICU beds. However, within a span of just over one year, the city now has altogether 591 ICU beds taking all the government health institutions into consideration..

Chief Minister Dr Sarma also asked the Mission Director National Health Mission Dr Lakshmanan S to tie up with NGOs and take steps for setting up Oxygen Concentrator Bank in each district of the state to help the post-Covid patients in case of oxygen requirement. He said that initially the districts badly affected by Covid-19 will have oxygen concentrator banks.

Stating about the 80000 litre medical oxygen tank made operational in GMCH today, Dr Sarma said that the facility will help the state in storing medical oxygen and use them in exigency which would render great relief to the patients.