Matung Raikhan
Dimapur
Dr Sambit Patra, the national spokesperson of BJP in a debate was asked “What is the meaning of COVID-19?” to everyone’s surprise Dr. Patra instead of answering ditched the question by counter replying, why shall I answer that question? I know the answer but I won’t tell you, and thus picked a long nuisance quarrel. Had he known the question and answered gracefully like a true gentleman, viewers will have witnessed productive debate. Unfortunately, it was an embarrassment for him, being a former Medical Officer, and the BJP party as the debate was between two spokesperson of rival party which was telecast live on TV.
Back home there was a picture circulating in Social media of three persons in PPE dress at Dimapur railway station for photo ops, only to be told that the PPE was worn ‘ulda’ with backside front. There was also controversy of Police beating up at least two doctors in the name of Law enforcing against Corona, Village Volunteers gather in groups at the village gates in the name of Covid-19 protection, Villager shooting dogs, Then comes sanitizing public places with fogging machine even while there was no report of COVID-19 case and before any stranded citizens arrives, (Sanitizing for Corona is done only after arrival and departure of returnee and not before, unless sanitizing is for other purpose like malaria, dengue etc. It is like washing ones Anus before excretion and not after. It is a waste of resources and time and worst of all it contribute to environmental pollution spraying chemicals).
Considering the above stories, we are seeing the likeness of Dr. Sambit Patra amongst the government, Police and the public, taking the stage even without the basic knowledge of COVID-19, deployed under the aegis of Administrations and Village Councils. We have seen volunteers and police personnel turned overnight-corona-warriors breaking SOP’s and yet enforcing diktats on publics. Perhaps little did they know that Pandemics and Law & Order problems are not synonymous.
In spite of the Governments glamorously declaring the state preparedness for pandemic, we have also seen Dimapur District Hospital undergoing basic constructions desperately adding more Masons and labours to finish the job behind the scene. Then came the challenge on procurement of PPE’s, BSL 3 & 2 lab, Ventilators, beds and isolations wards, Truenat machine etc. Though the procurement was late comparing with other states our government somehow did managed in the nick of time. But truth be told it wasn’t only the deployment of volunteers, uniformed personnel and procuring equipments that the readiness is all about which the government has be mulling earlier days.
The real question on government’s tall claim on preparedness shed doubtful light. How many of the people on duty are certified or qualified to deal the situation that they decide to impose different measures in the government and village level? This is not a good time to play hide and seek and when found seeks forgiveness in the name of our lord. If the government can claim that by procuring machines and arranging logistic support to the returnees suffices to readiness on COVID-19 pandemic than it’ll be a disaster when community transmission outbreaks. It’ll be like soldiers sending to war supplied with latest technological equipments without knowing how to use them.
While appreciating the risk the Government servants, Civil Societies and village councils are taking up to protect the public from infection, the professional approach towards this pandemic is rather frightening. In spite of our effort to contain the virus within the returnees, the possibility of Community Transmission becomes imminent and what worries more is the volunteers and Village COVID-19 teams across Nagaland unprepared to deal the community outbreak which mean the worst is yet to come.
The only solution to get equipped is through extensive trainings from the certified medical personnel. Knowledge is the essence, thus, the medical team can once again play a crucial role for mass educating the public on tackling community transmission. CIHSR Dimapur aka Referral Hospital and few other departments from other districts have done noble community service taking up medical campaign educating the public and its leaders. However, its manpower isn’t sufficient enough to cover all area. Considering the lack of medical personnel to conduct village to village seminars the government can extend help requesting the retired medical pensioners, Nursing teachers from medical colleges and medical professors all across Nagaland, unemployed nurses and doctors , dispensable ASHA, NHM, H& FW workers etc to voluntarily step in so that the regular duty of Doctors and Nurses are not affected. Those qualified yet dispensable persons can conduct seminars on Health Hygiene, Community transmission and cross infection/Contaminations. This way all corners of the State can be covered in few days time, before mass infection, which could turn to be the wisest and best investment of resources.
The reason being taking into account the community transmission as serious threat above all is that many uniform personnel and Village Volunteers have little or no knowledge how to handle the outbreak. When once the community outbreak occurs, these people will be most vulnerable to infection due to exposure perhaps even could be the source for wider transmission.
If at all the Medical fraternity decides to stand up for campaign on preventive measures, I would like to contribute some faulty practices that have been observed irrespective of Uniformed and Village Council persons;
Not maintaining social distancing themselves while on duty which they impose.
Faulty procedure wearing Gloves and Masks, including its disposal.
Sharing of Gloves and Masks amongst them.
Repeated use of Masks and gloves, if reusable or washable and its correct methods.
Sharing of intoxicative substances like ghutkas, suparis and other tobacco products.
Pulling off mask and gloves in the pocket to be used after.
Sharing of water bottle.
Hectic duty followed by glorious get together for alcohol and hangouts.
Travelling/ Riding together, taking/giving lifts.
Feast on duty.
Volunteers get together in the evening for sports and games while restricting publics to come out of home.
Traffic personnel enforcing odd-even number ask for ID, DL and other Documents thereby coming in direct contact. Etc.
There could be many others practices which the medical fraternities could identify and educate them because if we the general public approach them for constructive correction it will only creates negative repercussion backfiring for ‘telling’ the authority, with “apni kuboli kun ase” attitude, but untill then, the government urgently needs to intervene conduct mass campaigns using all possible resources and personnel available at disposal before it’s too late.
