Health Minister admits lapses in procuring PPEs

File Photo: Minister of Health and Family Welfare Nagaland, S Pangnyu Phom. (Photo Courtesy: @pangnyu -Twitter)

Says committees have been set up for certification & verification
 

Morung Express News
Kohima | April 21 

Following the reports of substandard Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) being provided to health workers, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Pangnyu Phom has admitted initial lapses when the safety equipments were procured.

Speaking at the sidelines of a launching programme at Kohima this morning, Phom attributed the lapses to “panic order and purchase” of protection equipments. One being further asked about the steps being taken by the Government for replacement of the PPEs, he assured that the State Government has set up two committees for ‘purchase and quality control’ wherein no equipments will be distributed without the verification and certification of the two committees.

Meanwhile, the State BJP party in a bid to help in containment of the  virus spread in the state, has donated 14 fogging machines, one each to all the eleven districts of Nagaland.

A fog machine is a device that emits a dense vapour and is helpful in maintaining disease free environment.
The launching programme was held this morning at the official residence of the Deputy Chief Minister, Y Patton in the presence of State Health Minister, Pangnyu Phom, BJP legislators and party workers.

Patton said the fogging machines were procured from South Korea will be one its kind in the state, which was donated as per the advice of its central party leaders. Each district will be given one fogging machine, said Patton and advised that it should not be used in crowded places.

Also speaking at the programme, party president, Temjen Imna Along explained that fogging machine, unlike sprayers, will manage to fog much larger areas. 

The chemical used is 1% sodium hypochlorite and one of the most effective chemicals to sanitise, claimed the Minister. He added that the same is being used in China and other parts of the world.