Govt and private doctors of Dimapur to work together to fight COVID-19

Section of the doctors attending the meeting of government and private doctors of Dimapur on COVID-19 held at Hotel Saramati on April 23. (Photo Courtesy: DPMU Dimapur) 
 

Dimapur, April 24 (MExN): A meeting of government and private doctors of Dimapur on COVID-19 was held at Hotel Saramati on April 23. The meeting was held to update the private practitioners on the status of COVID-19 preparedness and activities in the District, stated a press release issued by District Programme Management Unit, Dimapur.

The meeting was chaired by Dr T Pangjung Sangtam, Chief Medical Officer, Dimapur. Dr Kheshito, Medical Superintendent, District Hospital Dimapur informed the members that District hospital Dimapur was designated as COVID Hospital Dimapur. He gave a brief report of the status of the Hospital preparedness on COVID, such as number of beds, manpower, facilities available, etc. He further stated that “the manpower at COVID-19 Hospital will be exhausted within a month if any positive case is admitted.”

Sample testing for Direct Contacts started 
Dr Temsu, Pathologist, DHD highlighted the protocol followed while collecting samples. He stated so far 481 samples have been sent for testing from the district. The second sample testing for the Direct Contacts who are high risk have also started. 

Contact Tracing Team update 
Dr Imtiwabong, District Surveillance Officer highlighted all the surveillance activities being carried out in the district since January 2020. He informed the members that contact tracings were carried out to trace those individuals in Dimapur connected with the Nizamuddin case, Brahmaputra Mail case and the first COVID-19 positive case. A total of 25 Contact Tracing Team is carrying out active surveillance in the Containment Zone for 28 days, and the District Surveillance Unit is in contact with Home quarantine individuals daily.

57 hotels requisitioned as Quarantine Centers
Dr Kavito, Quarantine Officer informed that 57 hotels were requisitioned by the Government to use as Quarantine Centers. At present 9 hotels are being used as Quarantine Centers. All individuals whose sample was collected are sent to Quarantine Centers and kept in QC for 14 days regardless of the sample result. He stated that hotels’ staff along with the security personnel was all trained on COVID-19. Till date, 230 persons have been quarantined at the centers and at present, 98 are still in quarantine centers.  Upon discharge, they are made to download the nCOVID Nagaland app for further home quarantine surveillance.

Joint Co-Ordination Committee constituted
During the meeting, all the members resolved to constitute a Joint Co-Ordination Committee for COVID-19 which will comprise of both government and private practitioners. As such a committee was formed and resolved to have the first committee meeting on April 28 at 3:00 PM. “All the suggestions and opinions shared during the meeting will be discussed in detailed during the first Committee meeting,” the District Programme Management Unit, Dimapur stated in the release.