CEC, Hill Council, Leh, Advocate Tashi Gyalson reviewed the preparedness of the health department, Leh for smooth distribution and vaccination of COVID Vaccine across the Leh district in coming months.

The review meeting was held at Council Secretariat on December 30.

The discussion was held on the identification of vaccination session sites with setting up of a waiting area, vaccination room, observation room, and other requirements such as cold chain maintenance and storage facilities across the district.

While inquiring about the arrangements of the Health Department in dealing with vaccine reaction cases in far-off villages, CEC Gyalson was told by the doctors that every protocol will be ensured during the vaccination.

It was informed that a vaccine team along with doctors will remain at all the villages during vaccination with Adverse event following immunization ( AEFI) kits. And depending on the internet services, the patient will be observed through eSanjeevani's digital platform by expert doctors at the national and district level online.

Tashi Gyalson stressed upon all concerned to gear up with foolproof preparation in the successful implementation of the COVID-19 vaccine in the district which may rollout any time in the coming months.

Nodal officer Dr. Tashi Namgail gave a detailed PowerPoint Presentation about the GoI’s guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination. He said that out of the total 1,16000 local population of Leh district 20 % population will be covered in 6 months for which 8584 doses of COVID vaccine are required per month.

Doctors informed the meeting that Leh district has 23 storage facilities for vaccines at different locations and has a total of 1829 ltrs storage capacity in Leh district with space capacity for 396893 vaccine doses. The district and block-level training for all the stakeholders are going on these days for vaccination programs.

Later, CEC also reviewed the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY ) scheme being implemented in UT Ladakh under which every family will get ₹ 5 Lakh annual insurance.

Director of Health, Ladakh, Dr. Phuntsog Angchok said that there will be no restrictions whatsoever on the family strength. He said that there are about 23,000 hospitals across the country where the scheme can be availed. The insurance scheme will be implemented through the Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Limited and the insurance premium will be borne by UT Ladakh.

The meeting stressed improving internet facilities across the district to ensure smooth COVID-19 vaccination with the use of Co-Vin app, monitoring through eSanjeevani, and registration of Leh citizens under AB PM-JAY online.

 CEC Gyalson said that without proper internet facilities the vaccination and registration under AB PM-JAY online seem difficult and said that he will take up the issue at the highest level. 

An ex gratia of ₹50,000 to the family of one Covid Warrior of Health Dept, Leh who succumbed to death recently while performing his duty.

He expressed heartfelt grief and condolences with the family members of the deceased warrior.

He appreciated SNM Hospital Leh, and especially Surgeon Dr. Padma Diskit for performing rare neurosurgery successfully at SNM Hospital Leh recently with limited resources.