Quarantine facility for PwDs in Meriema

Our Correspondent

Kohima, April 6 (EMN): Sixteen beds in two separate blocks have been kept ready specifically for differently-able persons at Meriema quarantine facility in Kohima district.

Nagaland State Commissioner for Person with Disabilities, Diethono Nakro has expressed happiness at the arrangements made for PwDs. ‘Facilities may not be perfect but they have tried to put in things for the convenience of the person with disabilities such as ramps and western toilets,’ she told Eastern Mirror on Monday.

Earlier, she had asked the state government and Health department to make arrangements for the disability community in case they needed healthcare facility. “Because it is difficult for them to just go and stay in general ward if such a need arises at any time,” Nakro said.  

While appreciating the provisions made available in the state capital, she also appealed to the administration in other districts to make similar arrangements for differently-able people. Accordingly, the commissioner had written to deputy commissioners (DCs) requesting them to put up similar facilities at the district hospitals and quarantine places, to which, she is yet to receive specific responses.

However, she assured that she was in touch with the DCs and various organisations from all the districts. Apart from providing medical treatment and healthcare facilities, she has urged the district administration to help PwD families and communities who are facing difficulties due to the lockdown.

On identifying the quarantine facility at the housing for urban poor located at Meriema, an intense renovation work was carried out for almost two weeks and the place is now kept ready to accommodate people. When visited on April 4, separate blocks for male and female and the aforementioned PwD blocks, having separate rooms with bed and bathroom attached, were kept ready.

There were no people under quarantine till last week since most of the persons are under home quarantine or at a designated place.  

Earlier, Dr. Temsula, Joint Director of Health and Family Welfare, said that over 90 beds have been prepared at Meriema quarantine centre. It has 15 blocks and if required, it will make use of all blocks, she added. “There will be four teams to oversee the quarantine facility at Meriema. Each team will have a doctor, three nurses and three medical attendants,” she informed.