Let’s not make Covid-19 testing labs a regional issue – Along

Our Reporter
Dimapur, April 20 (EMN): The minister of Higher and technical Education and Tribal Affairs, Temjen Imna Along, has said that the decision to partially open various sectors and government functionaries was taken at a cabinet meeting held in Kohima on April 20 and also requested not to make Covid-19 testing labs a regional issue.

This was said during his live streaming session on a popular social networking site with Dr. Nyan Kikon, state Nodal Officer, department of Health and Family Welfare. The minister appealed to everyone to be a part of the solution to fight against the Covid-19.

“None of us were ready for the pandemic and nobody knew even the doctors have not studied about the coronavirus in their MBBS years,” said Along.
Admitting that in the haste of things, some steps might have been taken a little slow, he assured that the medical department did not ignore the needs of the people. He also said that construction of the medical college has started and it will take a few years.

“There are many factors why things get delayed, from land issues to a system where right things need to happen have to be considered,” said Along.

Asked by a viewer if Covid-19 testing labs would be set up in other districts, the minister shared that setting up one lab itself is a big task and as of now one or two labs will be sufficient for Nagaland.

“It is not an easy commodity; let us not make it a regional issue but come together and try our best to suffice for now (sic),” said Along.

The minister also informed that all educational institutions will remain closed till further notice, and that relief will be provided to stranded students in and outside the state.

In regard to the BSL-3 lab to be set up in Kohima, Dr. Kikon informed that the lab will not only be for Covid-19 but also for other research purposes. He assured that the state has sufficient PPE suits and as and when required, the central government is willing to help.

Kikon reiterated that testing and treatment for Covid-19 will be done free of cost for everyone. He further informed that the Covid-19 patient from Dimapur is recovering well as per information received from GMCH, Guwahati.

Along hands over protective items to Kaito Aye

Our Correspondent
The minister for Higher and Technical Education and Tribal Affairs, Temjen Imna Along, on Monday handed over 1500 face masks (3-layered and fully sanitised), four sets of PPE suits (fully sanitized) and a set of phenyl to minister for Agriculture and Cooperative G Kaito Aye from 36 Satakha Assembly Constituency, Zunheboto at the former’s residence in Kohima.

This was confirmed to Eastern Mirror by Along, who stated that the safety items were manufactured at the Government Polytechnic Kohima by Fashion Technology under the department of Technical Education to be used for protection from the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).

The minister, who had distributed safety kits to districts like Kohima, Mokokchung and Zunheboto, said that he is planning to reach out to other districts too with the protective gear manufactured at the Polytechnic. He added that they are giving the items in batches as manufacturing happens set by set and that it’s an initiative of state government.

Earlier this month, Along took to Facebook to announce that medical supplies like face masks, PPE suits and hand sanitisers had been handed over to advisor NSDMA Kazheto Kinimi of 31 Akuluto Assembly Constituency, advisor of Tourism, Art and Culture H Khehovi of 33 Suruhoto Assembly Constituency and Limasunep Jamir, IGP for Police department.

It may be mentioned that he has also initiated supply of essential commodities to 30th Alongtaki constituency in Mokokchung district; initiated free food items for the needy in Kohima and handed over face masks and hand sanitisers to the Mon district in-charge for the administrators and health and care workers.