Our Correspondent
Wokha, April 16 (EMN): Deputy Chief Minister, Y Patton visited border areas in Wokha district today to take stock of the situation in the fight against Covid-19.
The visit to Merapani and Bhandari areas came at a time when all eyes are on the border areas due to the recent outbreak of Covid-19 in the neighbouring villages at Golaghat district in Assam.
Patton was accompanied by the advisor of Horticulture and Border Affairs, Mhathung Yanthan and opposition MLA Dr. Chumben Murry along with the Wokha district tasks force. The team toured the borders areas and visited health centres in the district.
Patton expressed satisfaction to observe sealed check gates and other activities in checking entry and exit measures imposed by the government. He also instructed the district administration to set up another mobile check at Bhandari to ensure strict restrictions on public movement.
The team, during the visit to the health centres in the border areas, interacted with all the medical officers and staff to ensure that the district is well prepared. Patton expressed satisfaction on the ground preparedness to combat Covid-19. He, however, raised concerns on the shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other essentials for the health and frontline workers.
Patton also raised concern as the X-ray machine at the only Covid-19 Hospital at Wokha town was not functioning, while the ambulance services available in the district were not in a good condition. Patton advised the officials to co-ordinate and cooperate with one another in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mhathung Yanthan stated that the entire Nagaland- Assam border has been sealed on receiving reports of positive cases in the neighbouring villages of Assam, which is in close proximity from the check gate of Merapani.
He asserted that Wokha district shared the longest border with Assam which made it vulnerable to the virus. He, however, added that police forces along with the village (authorities) volunteers are keeping vigil at all times on the entry and exit of people as the area is a hot spot for drug peddlers and other nefarious activities.
Dr. Chumben Murry has also expressed satisfaction to witness sealed check-gate and other preparedness at the border. Expressing contentment with the distribution of relief materials, he also shared the same concern on the lack of proper equipment for the frontline workers.
Earlier, a coordination meeting was held at Wokha town with the deputy commissioner, superintendent of police, chief medical officer, medical superintendent and other district officials wherein the members presented their grievances and updated about the preparation in the district.