Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 184/21

INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION AND SENSITIZATION ON NEW DEVELOPMENT OF COVID-19 HELD

An online Interactive Discussion and Sensitization on new development of Covid-19 organized by the Directorate of Information & Public Relations in collaboration with Health & Family Welfare Department was held on 8th June 2021, which saw the attendance of Shri Sampath Kumar, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Smti M War Nongbri, Secretary, Information and Public Relations Department, Shri R Nongkhlaw, Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations, Shri David Laitphlang, President, Shillong Press Club and members of the media fraternity from across the state.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Sampath Kumar, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department gave an insight on the Covid-19 situation in the state and also the steps taken by the government in combating the spread of the virus and its variants. He also appealed to the media to play their roles constructively and also to work together with the government in disseminating factual information about Covid–19 pandemic in the state.

Smti M War Nongbri, Secretary, Information and Public Relations Department in her brief speech lauded the role played by the media in disseminating information to the public about the various aspects of the Covid -19 pandemic and urged the media, community leaders and the citizens to come together to tackle the pandemic.

The resource persons of the online discussion, Shri, Pradip Phangjoubam, Publisher and Editor of Imphal Free Press, Manipur and Dr. Debu Bhuyan, MD, In-charge Covid-19 ward, Nazareth Hospital, Shillong spoke at length about the Covid-19 pandemic and the vital role played by the media.

The other highlight of the day is the question and answer session in which Dr. B Decruse, State Nodal Officer for Covid-19, IEC Unit National Health Mission Dr. R Lyngdoh, State Surveillance Officer, Dr. P Manners, State Immunization Officer and Dr P Pakma, Chest Specialist, Civil Hospital, Shillong answered questions raised by the media persons.