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GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the first-ever DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organization)-supported 300-bed Covid hospital in Northeast in Guwahati on Thursday. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister termed the inauguration of the new COVID care hospital a decisive move in the fight against the COVID-19. He thanked the DRDO for the setting up of the hospital within a record period of 20 days.
The Chief Minister said that it's a fine example of Centre-State collaboration and the collective spirit of the Government of Assam and the people of the State. The new hospital has been built in association with the DRDO, the Government of India with a project cost of Rs 21.46 crore. The hospital will have a lifespan of five years that can be extended further with a minimum infrastructure boost up.
The modern Covid Care Hospital was set up by converting a portion of the Sarusajai Sports Complex in Guwahati, and it will act as an annexe to the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).
The state-owned Oil India Limited and ICICI Bank have extended financial support to the tune of Rs 2 crore and Rs 1.5 crore respectively for the project, which would give a renewed push to the State's Covid-19 management capabilities.
Given flood and erosion affecting a large population every year in the State, the Chief Minister urged the DRDO to consider the setting up of makeshift housing facilities in different parts of the state so that the flood-affected people could take shelter there. He also said that 1,000 Paediatric Intensive Care Units (PICU) would be set up to strengthen health infrastructure for children needing critical treatment.
While the Principal Secretary, Health Anurag Goel delivered the welcome speech, DRDO's Executive Director Dr Hanumant Rao and State Chief Secretary Jishnu Baruah were present at the function.