Meghalaya Health and Family Welfare Minister, Shri A. L. Hek very recently launched a locally made alcohol based hand sanitizer at Directorate of Health Services (Research), Pasteur Institute, Lawmali, Shillong in the presence of Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Health and Family Welfare Department, Smti M. N. Nampui, Directorate of Health Services (R) and Medical Superintendent, Ganesh Das MCH Hospital, Dr. N. Wanswett, Director of Health Services (MI), Dr. A. Warr and health officials.
In his brief address, Shri A. L. Hek said that this is an important initiative by the Health Department towards safeguarding the citizens of the state and it is pertinent to state that “Necessity is the mother of inventions.” He said that Pasteur Institute will be the future and a game changer for the State as far as health scenario is concerned.
It may be mentioned here that with an aim to supply safe and effective hand sanitizers for the citizens and due to the high demand for hand sanitizers in the state, the Directorate of Health Services (Research) has introduced a small scale manufacturing unit at Pasteur Institute, Shillong to cater to the needs of the healthcare workers and the general public. The manufacturing follows the WHO recommended formulation and the hand sanitizers manufactured by the unit is alcohol based hand sanitizer and the product is kept in quarantine in a clean, spacious, air conditioned room for 72 hours in order to allow time for any spores present in the alcohol to be eliminated by hydrogen peroxide.During the launching programme, the Health Minister distributed hand sanitizers to the press and media persons and also inspected the annex building of the Ganesh Das MCH Hospital which has been turned into an Isolation ward.
