SHGs in Arunachal Pradesh district manufacture masks for frontline workers

Itanagar, Apr 5 () Self-help groups in an ArunachalPradesh district have come forward during the coronaviruspandemic by stiching masks for frontline workers, a seniorofficial said.

Keeping in mind shortage of protective gear in themarkets, nearly 100 women members of self-help groups (SHGs)in Changlang district are on the job to prepare three-layeredreusable masks to be distributed among sanitary workers andpolice personnel, at a nominal price.

The move was initiated when on the persuasion of thedistrict administration, Bordumsa Mahila Mandal, headed byPisilu Singpho agreed to provide 500 masks to theadministration at a nominal cost of Rs 40 per mask, Changlangdeputy commissioner R K Sharma said.

The self-help group has a capacity of making 150 masksper day and so far it has supplied 700 masks to variousagencies, Sharma said.

Taking a cue from the Bordumsa Mahila Mandal, anotherself-help group of the district - Changlangkan Self-Help Groupheaded by Marina Tikhak, also started sewing masks, and so farthe NGO has supplied 215 masks to various frontline workers ofthe district, Sharma said.

The reusable masks are stitched and sanitized underthe professional advice of doctors. The NGOs have receivedadditional orders and are working tirelessly to meet thedemand, the DC said.

Both the NGOs are associated with North East RegionCommunity Resource Management Project (NERCORMP) under NorthEast Council of the union DoNER Ministry.

The state has reported one positive coronavirus casetill Sunday noon. UPLMM MM