COVID-19 2ND WAVE: How MLA Khashim boosts Covid warriors’ morale, spiritual connection in Ukhrul’s remote villages

COVID-19 2ND WAVE: How MLA Khashim boosts Covid warriors’ morale, spiritual connection in Ukhrul’s remote villages

Out on a touring spree, he donates oxygen concentrators to PHCs, dispenses largesse to healthcare workers, village leaders supporting the ongoing battle against the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

By R Lester Makang

It was both a morale and spiritual boost all at the same time.

Perhaps, the prime rationale behind Chingai MLA Khashim Vashum’s tour across villages in Ukhrul district’s western region under Lungchong Maiphai block on June 1, was to boost the morale of the villagers, patients and healthcare workers stationed in the remote areas in the times of raging Covid-19 pandemic.

But then he walked an extra mile to somehow make his day-long tour some sort of a spiritual sojourn as well.

Known for his largesse, Mr. Khashim toured around with assistance package visiting back to back villages like Ringui, Sirarakhong, Teinem, Phalee, Somdal, Talui and Ngaingu. That literally took him an entire day, but it was worth it.

He brought a smile on the villagers and healthcare staffers’ faces and a ray of hope for them in the form of one oxygen concentrator each to three Primary Health Centres, namely Teinem PHC, Somdal PHC and Talui PHC displaying his support for the ongoing battle against the second wave of the pandemic outbreak. Each machine costs around Rs. 1, 35,000.

To buck them up, he went on to distribute a slew of essential protective items like PPEs, face masks, hand gloves, and hand sanitisers and Covid treatment medicines and pulse oximeters, along with boxes of beverages and snack items and monetary assistance to the PHCs and PHSCs and the village authorities.

In yet another gesture, he gifted food items to three Covid patients who are lodged in a community isolation centre at Ringui Ramhon.

"Each one of you and your actions count. Be brave. We all are together in this battle against Covid-19," he exhorted them.

                          He underscored the need for a godly fight against the disease, and urged pastors and Church leaders of each village to continue to pray for the frontline workers and for the locals to equip them with spiritual strength to beat the malaise.

Stating that the pandemic has certainly plummeted life into a deep turmoil everywhere, he, nevertheless, urged everyone not to lose their sense of spiritual connection in this trying time.

Taking a cue from his own personal experience, Mr. Khashim said: "There is a message for everyone to stay strong in the midst of the ongoing pandemic."

"Trusting God is our only protection in such times. I appeal to you all to recall what is written of God. He is the only shelter in the time of storm," he said categorically, referring to a timeless Christian hymn written by Vernon J. Charles Worth.

                            

"Take my word, it's only God who has been keeping me safe from the storm of the pandemic. What shield do I have? None. But I'm glad that the Almighty counted my trust and He is allowing me to continue serving my people in good health in the times of Covid-19," he affirmed.

"Using faith in God as our weapon, we will definitely overcome the virus. No matter how virulent the virus that surrounds us, is, we will be safe in His shelter" Mr. Khashim said as he asked the front-line workers to join him in singing Vernon’s hymn.

Appealing to the people to extend humanity services, especially to those who are affected by the pandemic and said: “Do not panic but love and help one another in this challenging time.” He further appealed to the villagers, to cooperate and treat the healthcare staff properly, stating that the doctors and nurses are doing a selfless job.

The MLA also offered condolences to those who lost their precious lives due to the pandemic and hoped that no more precious lives succumb to the malaise.

At each village, he interacted with the village leaders and reviewed the preparedness of the locals. He asked all Covid-19 Task Forces (CTFs) in villages to start functioning immediately and to look into all the problems and difficulties likely to crop up due to the pandemic, while advising them to directly intimate/communicate with him for any requirements.

He further informed that daily allowance of Rs. 1000 for each CTF, announced by the state government, would be disbursed by the block officer concerned shortly.

The people’s representative from Chingai assembly constituency gave a patient hearing to the woes of the healthcare workers, while taking inventory of the existing facilities in the PHCs and PSHCs.

It is learnt that all the healthcare centres are facing a common problem of staff shortage and inadequate infrastructures. Only one doctor each assigned as medical officer (MO) along with a few nurses was found to be running the PHCs in Talui, Teinem and Somdal.

None of the centres have any ambulance to ferry their patients at present. One ambulance vehicle at Talui PHC is said to be out of service after it broke down months ago.

On learning about the existing problems, he assured the doctors and nurses that he would do his best to address the problems in consultation with relevant authorities at the earliest.

                                        

The PHSCs were found in a worse state. Ngainga PHSC does not have a single staff stationed while the PHSC building at Phalee village was found incomplete.

To help improve the building for urgent use during the pandemic, Mr. Khashim separately handed over a monetary aid to Phalee Village Committee. He also assured Ngainga village committee of providing staffers for their PHSC shortly.

The MLA was accompanied by former ADC members Thanchipem Jagoi, Kapangpam Zimik and Khayinghor during the tour.