Nagaland H&FW Minister, P Paiwang Konyak interacts with patients at the District Hospital Mon on October 29.
Minister Paiwang visits hospital, assures all necessary assistance
Kohima, October 29 (MExN): A total of 1523 dengue patients were admitted to District Hospital (DH) Mon in just over a two-month period, from August 14 to October 27, according to an official record.
Another 23 patients were referred outside the district.
The figures were provided by officials at DH Mon during the visit of Nagaland's Minister of Health and Family Welfare, P Paiwang Konyak, to the hospital on October 29.
This marks the Minister's second official visit to DH Mon since the recent outbreak of dengue in Mon district.
Meanwhile, as per the official data cited by the Deputy Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Mon, Dr Thomas Keppen, and Medical Superintendent (IC), Dr Aman Konyak, during the aforesaid period, there were 7437 outpatients at DH Mon, while 2018 patients were admitted.
In other words, over two-third (75.53%) of the total admissions at DH Mon from August 14 to October 27 were dengue patients.
The officials also informed that the hospital is providing medicines and investigations free of cost to all admitted patients through the Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS) and Ayushman Bharat cards.
Meanwhile, a press release from the Minister's Press Secretary stated that Paiwang inspected the hospital, interacted with the patients and attendants during his visit.
This was followed by a closed-door meeting with the Medical Officers and nurses of DH Mon.
At the meeting, Deputy CMO Dr Keppen, who is currently heading DH Mon, briefed the Minister about the ground reality of the dengue crisis and requested additional workforce, including nurses.
In response, the Minister appreciated the efforts of the doctors and nurses at DH Mon in controlling the dengue crisis and managing to reduce the recent rise.
He also assured to provide the necessary assistance regarding the workforce at the soonest possible time.
Paiwang also suggested to DH authorities to segregate dengue patients from other general patients to ensure that the correct procedures for treatment are followed.
He emphasised the need for community participation in the fight to control the rise of dengue in the district, highlighting that the district administration, civil societies, and the health department can act as "Three Wings" to control dengue in the community, especially in Mon district.
The Minister acknowledged the Mon district legislators, Konyak Baptist Bumeinok Bangjum (KBBB), individuals, and all those who generously donated cash and kind to the district hospital.
He also donated Rs 2 lakh to DH Mon for an emergency fund and pledged to provide a "Printer" for Complete Blood Count (CBC) 5 Chamber, which he had previously donated.
The meeting also resulted in several 'way forward measures' to be addressed by the respective stakeholders, including making Elisa Test available in DH Mon, managing the operational costs of outsourced workforce from other districts, addressing the requirement for human resources, especially medical officers, nurses, and laboratory technicians from various sources.
The task of arranging a separate dengue ward by making necessary infrastructure adjustments was assigned to DH Mon while maintenance of sanitation in the wards and towns in the district was given to the town council.
Furthermore, the meeting resolved on community participation from various CSOs to support the medical and municipal sectors in source reduction and maintaining sanitary practices.
