Legislators content with Covid-19 preparedness

Our Correspondent
Kohima, April 1 (EMN): Legislators and Kohima District Task Force (DTF) on Wednesday visited quarantine facilities and health centres located in the sub-divisions of Chiephobozou and Tseminyu under Kohima district, to assess the preparedness for the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).

During the visit, health workers deployed at various community and primary health centres in these areas highlighted the need for more facilities such as ambulance services, oxygen cylinders, beds, personal protective equipment etc. The legislators and DTF assured to look into the matter and discuss it with the highest-level authority.   

The team was led by legislators-in-charge of Kohima district monitoring for Covid-19, Tongpang Ozukum, Minister of PWD (Housing and Mechanical) and Neikiesalie Kire, Advisor of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs; along with Advisor for Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, R Khing; Kohima DTF team led by Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Kohima Gregory Thejawelie; Deputy Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr H Sema; and Superintendant of Police, Kohima K Sophie Angami.

DC Gregory Thejawelie said that during lockdown, situation could develop in different forms and asked officers to be on guard. “As the day progresses, issues might be popping out and it is the duty of administration, officers to give importance to those issues and address them,” he said. He asked them not to turn a blind eye to the issues because everything was important. As long as one could do that, he said that it would be able to handle the situation better.

He said that the current situation was of the larger interest of every individual and asked the administration and police to be stricter in enforcing the laws towards citizens. No matter how difficult it is, officials should put in their best effort that people and vehicles don’t move unnecessarily, as that would defeat the very purpose of the lockdown, the DC pointed out.  However, preparedness is satisfactory but that does not mean one has to be complacent. “Rather, be on guard to avoid unwanted situation taking place,” he maintained.

He appreciated them for doing their best and encouraged them to keep up the spirit. He asked them not to lose hope and assured that the legislators would project their issues at the higher level.

He lauded the village areas for coming up with the quarantine facilities. In case of any eventuality of essential commodities running short, the DC asked the sub-division administrative officials to immediately inform him and assured to take immediate action. He informed that at the district administration level, it was trying its best to ensure and facilitate the movement of all essential commodities on a regular basis so that people don’t face any problem.

The DC also asked them to check on hoarding of essential commodities and avoid such situations at any cost. He highlighted that the price rise during such a time was another issue. Even in the past whenever there was disruption in the normal flow, there was a tendency to create artificial product or inflation or price rise. He requested the administration to monitor such things on a regular basis.

As for the unorganised sectors, the DC asked the respective blocks and area officers under Kohima district to identify migrant workers, daily wage earners, be it locals or non-locals, who were in need of food items or essential commodities and keep them ready.

Though, consignment for the district was yet to be received, officers were asked to do whatever they could at their level. Once consignments arrive, it would be immediately lifted to respective locations, he said and asked them to make preparations for storing the consignments. Further, the DC asked them to make proper assessment and start distributing the relief to the most affected people.

Overall preparedness is satisfactory

Advisor Neikiesalie Kire said the overall preparedness appeared satisfactory. However, whether state has positive case or not, it cannot be complacent, he said and urged people to give more effort. He also asked them to make the best use of facilities at their disposal. Further, he appealed citizens to strictly follow the rules and orders given by the state authorities.

The advisor informed that the funds allocated for Urban Local Bodies, Nagaland was received on March 31.The amount was “practically almost given what was earmarked”, he said and informed that the department was trying to set aside some amount to fight against = Covid-19. “We will see how best it can help”, he added. The amount will be distributed to all the three Municipalities and 16 town councils in the state.

Covid-19: Precaution the only cure

Tongpang Ozukum informed that there were only 1043 total beds arranged while ratio per positive case was very high. When highly equipped medical facility countries are finding hard to handle the Covid-19 pandemic, ‘what is us’, the Nagas, he said. He appealed to the citizens to understand the gravity of the situation and follow the orders given by the authorities. “Precaution is the only cure for us,” he added.

On noticing the Community Health Centre, Tseminyu in a battered condition with lack of basic facilities and personal protective gears, the minister assured to take up and explain the matter with the authority. He also directed the surveillance team to have proper coordination with the district authorities.

33 home quarantined in Tseminyu

ADC Tseminyu, Nokchasachi informed that 33 persons were kept under home quarantine, in which 15 persons completed the period on April 1. So far, persons under quarantine have not shown any symptomatic signs, he informed.

He also assured that there were enough essential commodities for the people and the administration was regularly monitoring it. He added that date collection of unorganised sector under the sub-division had started and would be done in two days time.

Deputy CMO, Kohima Dr. H Sema gave instructions on information flow in case of Covid-19 positive case in Kohima district. “Any symptomatic case from the epicentre of any positive case will be shifted to the isolation hospital (Chedema/ NHAK) by designated ambulance and authorised team (district RRT),” he said.

All households in a condoned area would be monitored and tracked by medical officers of respective block and their team. Asymptomatic cases from the epic centre (if any positive case) will be home quarantine for 14 days. In case of positive case, the whole area will be quarantined, he said. He also instructed that ambulance or vehicle ferrying positive patients need to be disinfected according to the given guidelines.

Since all doctors were given training to handle covid-19 patients at Chedema or NHAK for eventualities, a time may come for health centres and sub-health centres to function without designated doctors. Emergency during such time needs to be understood, he added.