Our Reporter
Dimapur, March (EMN): Although the government of Nagaland is trying to ensure the prevention of the novel coronavirus from entering the state, the health centres of villages and districts beyond the state capital Kohima and the commercial hub Dimapur cannot be neglected.
Senior specialist District Hospital Longleng Dr. Temsusashi told Eastern Mirror that four-bed isolation wards have been prepared in Longleng and one school has been occupied for quarantine. However, there is no ventilator for isolation ward, and no anaesthesiologist is available for the district for critically ill patients, he said.
"The district hospital also has no Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and in case of emergency, a patient is referred to Mokokchung, the nearest town from Longleng. For Covid-19, if a patient is tested positive, the rapid response team from Mokokchung will be at service," a staff from the District Hospital Longleng said.
He said that the available personal protective equipment (PPE) at the hospital was not enough. He also said that they were unsure if the PPE that was being delivered by the state government, to be received on March 30, would be enough and stated that they would be sure only after they have received it.
The health workers, he said were enough so far for the Longleng population but if the situation escalates like the other states than the manpower wouldn't be enough.
Longleng district has three primary health centres and eight sub-centres. One of the centres was upgraded to Community Health Centre, but is ‘yet to be inaugurated’.
On the accessibility of the interior villages from Longleng town in case of emergency, the senior specialist updated that the respective medical officers have been entrusted with trainings even at the grassroots including the ASHA workers. He informed that 17 people are under home quarantine.
The doctor also lamented that without any proper infrastructure, even with the trainings provided, it would be difficult to attend to any critical situation. He appreciated the community, particularly the student organisation, for assisting the medical team with basic requirements and "going the extra mile" to deal with the situation.
He also shared his concern over the Sunday church service in Longleng, which is still going on. He said that during this crisis, the church and its leaders should suspend the services as a precautionary measure against the novel coronavirus till the situation is normalised.
The community at various villages under Longleng district has sealed their village gates as precautionary measures against Covid-19.