Manipur Health Minister Sapam Ranjan on Wednesday announced that the Union Health Ministry, acting on the rise of Covid 19 cases in few states in the country, had instructed all states to be alert, prepared and conduct regular mock drills to face any eventualities.
Ranjan was speaking at the inaugural function of the national conference on the ‘Emerging Challenges in the Frontiers of Chemical Science (NC-ECFCS-2023)’ and distribution of appreciation certificates at department of Chemistry, Manipur University.
The Health minister recalled that there were shortages of medical equipment when the pandemic first surfaced. The stock for masks, PPEs, sanitizers etc. had run out which was alarming, he added.
“The pandemic sent the entire globe into a frenzy; it was not prepared to handle such an outbreak; however, we have figured out the measures to face such events in the future,” he said.
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Ranjan mentioned that the shortage of hand sanitizers in the state during the pandemic was resolved with the aid in production from various educational institutes like Manipur University.
“The pandemic had a silver lining which was, it taught us the importance of research and the maintenance of a robust healthcare system,” he said.
He further emphasised the need for the healthcare industry to be ready for any such eventuality in the future.
He stated that scientists and subject experts overcome a lot of hardships and challenges to bring out the fruits of their respective research. He maintained that every aspect of daily life revolved around the changing facets of such scientific research.
“Such conferences are important as they discuss the latest changes in scientific development,” he added.
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Meanwhile, Manipur University vice chancellor professor N Lokendra Singh extended gratitude to the alumni for organising such an event and stated that they play a crucial role in bringing an invigorating atmosphere to the university’s academic and scientific inputs.
“They also play a major part in attracting students to their alma mater,” he said.
The programme was jointly organised by the Manipur University Chemistry Alumni Association (MU-CAA) and the department of Chemistry, Manipur University. During the event, appreciation certificates for making hand sanitizers were also distributed.
Dean School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, MU professor S Dorendrajit Singh, head of department of Chemistry professor N Rajen Singh, faculties and students of the department among others were present during the event.
