Our Correspondent
Kohima, March 31 (EMN): Minister for Health and Family Welfare S Pangnyu Phom on Tuesday inaugurated the Integrated Ayush Hospital at Razha, Chedema as Covid-19 Hospital during his official visit to the newly constructed health facility situated 24 km away from the state capital Kohima.
Accompanied by advisor to Information and Public Relations (IPR), State Institute of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and Village Guards (VG), the minister inspected the facilities and infrastructure at the designated hospital and expressed his satisfaction on the preparedness and equipment available at the hospital.
“We are exploring all possibilities to tackle the situation in the event of any eventually," Phom said. He expressed his desire to visit all the districts and designated Covid-19 Hospitals in the different parts of the state to take stock of the matter.
Earlier in the afternoon, the minister had a meeting with the medical department officials at the directorate to review the situation and updated the developments.
While appraising the department and commending its efforts, he raised the need to declare Longleng District Hospital as Covid-19 Hospital by shifting the in patients to the nearest Community Health Centre in the district. He also told the officials to procure more thermal scanners and be prepared for any eventually.
Meanwhile, the nodal officer for Covid-19 Hospital, Chedema, Dr. Seyiekhrietuo John, told media persons that the hospital is a 50-bedded hospital, out of which 28 beds are ready for use, and that it can be increased if situation demands. He also expressed confidence and hope that hospital facilities and the staff would be able to give its best to the people of Nagaland.
The medical superintendent of the hospital, Dr. Atsungla, informed that the hospital has one ventilator, portable X-ray machine along with other facilities. She added that the first batch of personal protective equipment (PPE) had arrived, while more quantity will arrive as the state has received more consignment.
Speaking about the preparedness of the healthcare workers and staff, Atsungla maintained that the first batch of training for staff had already completed and are deputed in the hospital, adding that the second batch training is underway, which she said will be joining soon."I should say we are ready to fight the pandemic," Atsungla said. Phom also visited the Naga Hospital Authority Kohima, which has been designated as Covid-19 Hospital, later in the evening.