Principal Director, Dr Neikhrielie Khimiao during an interaction with some media personnel on May 12. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Kohima | May 12
The rapid surge of COVID-19 positive cases compelled the Nagaland government to declare a one week state-wide total lockdown from May 14-21 in order to contain the spread of the virus. Officials from the State health department said further line of action will decided after closely monitoring the trend and improvement of cases during the lockdown period.
Principal Director, Health and Family Welfare, Dr Neikhrielie Khimiao interacting with some section of media personnel at his office on May 12 said, although the numbers of COVID-19 positive cases are not alarming in other districts as per the latest inputs, the numbers are quite alarming in Dimapur and Kohima.
With cases continuing to surge in Dimapur, and in preparation for any further aggravation of the situation, Dr Khimiao said the department has made a proposal to the government to declare CIHSR as the next COVID-19 hospital.
Although District Hospital Dimapur with a 100-bed capacity has been declared as COVID-19 Hospital, to handle COVID-19 positive cases, he said it has become imperative to make alternative arrangements to tackle any situation that may arise.
Being centrally located and having space for expansion and extension, it is necessary that CIHSR be declared as COVID-19 hospital, he maintained. The department, on its part “as a goodwill gesture decided to assist the private hospitals and even CIHSR with more oxygen cylinders and concentrators,” he added.
On workforce for COVID-19 management
While the medical team tackling the COVID-19 patients in other districts is not a problem at this stage, he said more workforce is required for the districts of Kohima and Dimapur.
Following the government’s decision to rope in medical and nursing students for non-COVID duty to mobilize trained human resources for effective management of COVID-19 pandemic, it was learnt that nursing councils have submitted a representation to the department.
Informing this, the Principal Director said the nursing councils have stated that nurses undergoing training cannot be allowed to undergo this current crisis management. To this, he said “When we are at war, certain measures have to be taken....one have to sacrifice everything and come forward.”
Although they have written to the department, Dr Khimiao informed that there was no outright objection on their part, and was optimistic that it would not “create any complications in the coming days.”
Also informing of the decision at their ‘Peace Zone Committee’ meeting, he said that district in-charges have been appointed in all the districts and it was also decided to recall one doctor, two nurses and one lab technician from each district, so as to fill in the gap for the workforce crisis in Dimapur and Kohima.
However, he said, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the district in consultation with District Task Force (DTF) can take certain actions at their level for which they are entitled and recall medical personnel as and when required in their districts depending on the situation.
Involvement of private hospitals
Following reports of doctors and nurses tendering their resignations, Dr Khimiao said these are mostly from private sectors, and that he has not received any resignation letters from government employed doctors and nurses.
Following the government’s order that all private hospitals should reserve 50% of beds for COVID-19 patients, it was informed that proprietors of private hospitals have come forward sharing their concerns with staff threatening to resign if they are to strictly adhere to the order.
The reason cited by private hospitals, Dr Khimiao stated, was that livelihood of the staff will be affected if the private hospitals start admitting only COVID-19 patients, which will ultimately reduce the inflow of patients with normal ailments.
Appreciating the gesture of the private hospitals during his recent meeting held in Dimapur, he said “they are willing to provide as much beds as possible for COVID-19 management, however, at this juncture to straightaway reserve 50% of beds may not be fulfilled.”
Basing on the government’s order, he said, all the private hospitals have come forward to admit COVID-19 patients with 2-3 oxygen support ICU beds but have expressed their difficulties to come out with the exact number of 50% reservation as “next to impossible.”
Genome sequencing
Meanwhile, the samples from the State for genome sequencing could not be executed, informed Dr Khimiao stating “as we don’t have the facility, when the samples were sent it was improper and it could not be executed.”
While stating more trainings and expertise opinions will be required to do the genome sequencing in the coming days, he however opined that although genome sequencing may not be very applicable immediately, it will become applicable in the long run to come about with better management of cases.
On makeshift hospitals
While WHO has offered to assist the State health department in setting up makeshift hospitals if required, Dr Khimiao felt that it is not very practical as it will require more workforce, expertise and equipment.
Citing probable instances, he pointed that serious patients would require assistant oxygen therapy which in turn require trained medical personnel to run such machines.
Practically speaking, he said “in reality the set up should be able to make all the arrangements with ventilators, trained medical personnel so that it can work effectively. We need to shift many types of equipment to the site,” he said, adding that putting all these in place may not be practically possible.
On vaccines for 18-44 age group
When enquired on the arrival of vaccines for vaccination of those in the 18-44 age group, he informed that order has been placed along with advance payment. “Maybe if things go favourably, within next one week or so we should be able to have the vaccine in our hands,” Dr Khimiao responded.
Meanwhile, he added that the State health department’s focus is on building a good and strong relationship “to create oneness and togetherness with cooperation to help the public on a mission” against COVID-19.
