Dimapur, March 23 (EMN): The department of Health and Family Welfare has refuted allegations of “negligence in combating” the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, and ‘losing or not testing suspected Covid-19 cases sent from Referral Hospital, Zion Hospital and Eden Hospital’.
In a press release issued on Monday evening, the department maintained that it has been active—in relation to the coronavirus pandemic—since January 18. “With the evolving situation of the outbreak, informed and measured actions have been taken.”
It asserted that the department has been strictly following the directions, standard operating protocol of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), government of India.
“In matters relating to sample testing, those that do not fit into the laid down criteria by the MoHFW, samples if so collected and sent for testing, it will be rejected by the designated testing laboratories.
“One sample has been sent as of 13:00 hrs (1 pm) March 23, 2020 and results received, which is negative. The cases from Eden Hospital and Zion Hospitals do not fit into the given criteria for collection of sample for testing. The District Surveillance Unit of Dimapur is in constant touch with the patients of the reported respective hospitals of Zion and Eden. As of the filing of this press release, the patients are doing fine,” it stated.
With regard to isolation ward, the department has been identifying the isolation wards in public health care facilities and other centres, it informed.
“Those identified are in place but is expandable as the situation demands. Quarantine facilities have also been identified and expandable. This holds true for ventilators. At present, 12 dedicated ventilators are in place for Covid-19, in addition to the ICU ventilators available in the state over and above this.
“The protection gears, which include personal protection equipments (PPE), N95 mask, triple layer mask, gloves have been procured and distributed. Orders have been placed for additional procurement. It may also be placed in public domain that shortage of all materials and equipments are abound all over the country and even globally,” read the statement.
The department asserted that it has been carrying out surveillance activities, which include monitoring, observation, contact tracking and contact tracing of both Nagas and non-Naga residents of Nagaland—including those who have entered the state from affected countries since January 18.
“This screening and surveillance have expanded to all those entering Nagaland through rail and road entry points. The government of Nagaland is well aware that this pandemic Covid-19 is beyond the health system involving the full machinery of the government at hand.
“The department appeals to the public not to spread rumours/panic but co-operate with the dovernment. The department of Health and Family Welfare welcomes positive criticisms from all corners and request all concerned to extend all possible help to the government of Nagaland,” read the statement.
Earlier in the day, the chairman of Indian Human Rights Council, Nagaland, Richard Humtsoe had issued a statement alleging “there were suspected Covid-19 cases sent from Referral Hospital, Zion Hospital and Eden Hospital that went lost or not tested”.
“Laxity from the state functionaries seen in the zero number of test done and there are no laboratory for testing Covid-19 in the whole state,” he had stated. Humtsoe had also alleged shortage of facilities.