CHC Pughoboto receives inferior quality PPE

MLA 13 Pughoboto A/C Y Vikheho Swu with other officials during the visit to CHC Pughoboto on April 17.

Vikheho Swu reviews COVID-19 preparedness in Pughoboto

Pughoboto, April 19 (MExN): MLA Vikheho Swu visited Pughoboto to take stock about the preparedness of the COVID-19 in Pughoboto sub division on April 17 and convened a meeting with the district administration, police, medical, Food & Civil Supplies and representatives from NGOs including Adhoc Town Council.

Subsequently, the MLA issued a press release highlighting several discrepancies in the subdivision’s preparedness to combat the pandemic.

According to the release, Dr Hokugha Sema, SMO (Medical) Pughoboto revealed that “CHC Pughoboto has received twenty (20) numbers of PPE from the Government but they are of inferior quality which will not shield the doctors and medical personnel from the COVID-19.”

Dr Hokugha informed that CHC Pughoboto has received 200 face masks “but they are not N95 masks,” the release stated. He also informed the house that a quarantine centre and an isolation ward (with two beds and oxygen facility) have been set up in Pughoboto with the assistance from the district administration, it said.

“However, some improvements need to be done as and when some funds are allotted to the CHC Pughoboto,” the SMO stated. He also informed that 200 bottles (500ml each) sanitizers received till date has been distributed to all medical sub-centres in Pughoboto sub division, while adding that “food and water of the medical teams on duty are borne by themselves,” according to the press release. 

The MLA along with the officers later paid a visit to the CHC.

‘No protective gears or any assistance for police’

Tizhi Pojar, SDPO Pughoboto apprised the officers that since March 26, three 24x7 check posts have been set up in the sub division, one at Asukiqa area, second at Lazami-Pughoboto entry point and the third at Ghathashi. 

However, according to the press release, the SDPO revealed that there is “no protective gears for the police against COVID-19 except surgical masks and sanitizers. Food and water for the police team manning the check posts are borne by the jawans themselves and no fund or assistance have been received from the Government till date.”

“Should there be any eventuality; quarantine centre has to be provided with security which Pughoboto is short of police personnel. At present there are only about fifty police personnel with two vehicles in Pughoboto who are manning the police stations at Pughoboto, Ghatashi and three check posts,” the release quoted the SDPO as saying. 

He informed that all inter district movement of vehicles are restricted except for medical emergency, essential commodities.

F&CS dept updates on food grains 

The Food & Civil Supplies department reported that two Public Distribution Systems - Pughoboto and Ghatashi, are catering to 24 villages of the sub division. Pughoboto PDS has been allocated 340 quintals of rice under PHH scheme and 89 quintals of rice under AAY, however, the supply is yet to reach Pughoboto. Ghatashi PDS received 258 quintals of rice under PHH and 89 quintals of rice under AAY.

Under PMGKS, all ration card holders will be getting 05Kgs of rice during this COVID19 period. “The stock will be reaching soon,” the house was informed. 

NSDMA has also allotted relief rice especially for the migrant and stranded labourers, daily wage earners, old age homes, orphanages, hostels, etc Pughoboto has received 300 bags (50 Kgs each) which the district administration will distribute after examining the number of these targeted groups in the subdivision. “As far as food grains are concerned the sub division is in a comfortable position till date. Transportation may be a problem with the onset of the rains and if the lockdown extends,” the department representative is said to have stated. 

‘All logistics in place’

According to the release, Moa Lemtor, ADC Pughoboto, said that all logistics are in place and the district administration is doing every possible step to execute the orders and directives of the government. Vehicular permits to go outside Pughoboto are issued only for medical emergencies and for essential commodities.

“Dobashis are assisting the police at the check posts. All expenses for the Dobashis and administrative officers are borne by themselves,” he said while adding that there is no shortage of essential commodities till date.

‘Water supply to Pughoboto not restored’

During the meeting, it was also discussed that water supply to Pughoboto which falls under essential service is still not restored since it was disrupted in June 2019. 

“Pughoboto is a rain shadow area and potable water is a challenge here. An epidemic because of scarcity of potable water in this dry season cannot be ruled out as witnessed in the past. The casualness of the concerned department is highly questionable. The government has to address these issues at the earliest because the pandemic knows no borders. The lives of those in the frontline should be looked into without any delay,” the release stated.

During the meeting, it was reported that the following donations were received: Rs 30,000 received from the DC Zunheboto to meet the requirements of the COVID19 preparation. The money was handed over to the Medical Department; MLA Y Vikheho Swu- Rs1, 00, 000; VDB Association - Rs 10,000; Hekuto Chishi, EE PWD (R &B) - Rs 10, 000; Mustafa a resident of Pughoboto town- Rs 2000.