Imphal, April 15 ( ) Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Friday inaugurated Block Health Mela and Telemedicine at Ayushman Bharat – HWC under the 100 Days Action Plan at N.Tomchou Public Ground Mayang Imphal, here. Chief Minister lauded and congratulated the Covid Warriors of the Health department officials, doctors, nurses, ASHA Health Workers, etc. for their tireless and fearless dedication to their service. He said, “We have lost countless lives during the pandemic and we still have to be careful against COVID. “ Highlighting low vaccination percentage in some areas in the State, especially in the hills, the Chief Minister said that officers of the State should convince people to take the vaccine to increase vaccination percentage. Stressing on the task lying ahead of the new State Government, Biren said that it is only the beginning and added that we are in the initial stage of shaping Manipur. He said that once the government completes the task under the 100 days Action Plan, it will declare the works to be taken up on a yearly basis. The Chief Minister also expressed happiness that dialysis facilities are now available in almost all district hospitals and both the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences and the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, which are the major hospitals of the State. He further showed concern over increasing Kidney ailment and cancer patients in the State and stressed on the need for a proper study to probe whether our food habits are the main cause. He also expressed concern over tobacco consumption among the people of the State. Biren also spoke on the Chief Minister’s Health for All Scheme and explained that under the scheme, door-to-door health screening is conducted for 10 non-comm cable diseases, and free medicine provided across the State. Highlighting that health is wealth and that the government is working towards upliftment of the poor and to provide health benefits to them, the Chief Minister pointed out to the concerned officials the need to re-verify the beneficiaries lists of the CMHT and cancel names of beneficiaries who are found to be government employees during the re-verification process at the earliest. Regarding poppy plantations in the hills, Chief Minister expressed unhappiness about the same and added that during a recent meeting with chiefs and leaders of some villages, mass use of chemical fertilizer to ensure good poppy harvest was highlighted. This is alarming because these chemical fertilizers are drained or washed into the rivers and lakes during the rain which are eventually consumed by the people, he added. Stating that there are so many alternatives and that the government will provide any alternative livelihoods to poppy planters, the Chief Minister urged all not to provide the excuse of poppy plantation as the only source of livelihood. Biren appealed to all illegal encroachers on Loktak Lake to vacate their encroachments before the government takes up actions, and save the lake because without Loktak Lake it will be hard for people to reside in the State. Further stating that the government will take up various development works for the people, he sought support of all and urged against creating disturbances to any kind of developmental work. Meanwhile, as part of the inauguration function, Chief Minister’s Health for All Award, Imphal West KAYAKALP Award, Best Primary Health Centre Award, Best Health & Wellness Centre Award were also distributed. The Chief Minister alongwith the other dignitaries also visited the stalls opened as part of the Mela and interacted with the officials. NS BM