Meghalaya: Committee of Women Empowerment holds COVID review meeting

SHILLONG:

The Committee of Women Empowerment held a virtual meeting on Monday to discuss the impending probable third wave of the COVID, vaccination drive in the state and other important things about the COVID situation in the state.

Chairperson of the Committee, Ampareen Lyngdoh said, “We had a threadbare discussion on how prepared is Meghalaya in the event of the third wave which may attack children particularly. The situation is not good but the system will not be alerted.”

Speaking about the issue of the non-availability of vaccines, she said that the Committee has requested the Health Department to coordinate with local dorbars concerning the vaccination drive.

Lyngdoh discussed the vulnerability of children during the pandemic and cited an example of a mother and child who died recently at a hospital in Shillong.

There was also discussion on Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) for March, April and May this year.

She stated that there were 13 MMR deaths reported during March, 13 in April and the data for May is awaited.

“We were given the assurance that the Health Department will look into the matter and will address these issues,” she said.

When enquired about the status of vaccination of health workers, the Committee was informed that the vaccination programme of health workers is at 85 per cent. 

The committee was informed that of the 300 plus deaths in East Khasi Hills alone, none of the victims who died due to COVID had received the first dose of the vaccine.

Lyngdoh further said that a huge population of those falling under the age of 45 are still not vaccinated.

Speaking about ex-gratia payment to people who died due to COVID, Lyngdoh said another Zoom meeting will be held to discuss this issue.

Concerning the death of a nurse, Manisha Turnia who was 6 months pregnant, the Chairperson of the Committee said, “The principal secretary of Health Department has assured that a notification will be issued that the 300 plus of pregnant health workers inclusive of nurses, doctors will not be sent to work but given assignments to work from home where they will assist the government in their programmes.”

She also appealed to private hospitals to ensure that all pregnant health workers should be allowed to work from home and be given a different kind of job without denying them their salaries.

(Edited by Shankar Kumar Turha)

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