Kohima, May 21 (MExN): The Kohima District Task Force on COVID-19 conducted a virtual meeting with task force members, minister in charge, government officials and several civil society organisations on Friday.
According to a DIPR report, arrangements to identify alternate hospitals for essential health services in the district were discussed during the meeting. State Minister Tongpang Ozukum asked NHAK officials and CMO to work out the modalities, keeping in mind that many citizens were affected last year when the NHAK was converted to a COVID Hospital. He also suggested that Red Cross ambulance could be requisitioned for emergency services during the pandemic.
Nodal Officer for Kohima district Kesonyü Yhome pointed out that at this stage, the DTF should aim to operationalise all the proposals put up during the meeting by Monday. He also suggested random sampling in rural areas to assess the positivity rate in the community, the DIPR report stated.
On the agenda of delivery of essential health care services with the designation of NHAK as COVID Hospital, Medical Superintendent Dr Sentimeren Aonok informed that preparation is underway for shifting COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms from Meriema COVID Hospital to NHAK COVID Hospital as instructed by the government. At present, the NHAK has not been fully converted to COVID Hospital as there are several patients who still require essential services, he said, adding that shifting of non COVID patients to the associated community health centres would be doneif the need arises.
As per the DIPR report, Chief Medical Officer Dr Vezokholu Theyo also informed that all medical officers of CHCs and PHCs would be directed to be stationed in their respective posting places so that vaccination can continue in the centres and specialist consultation will be in place. On re-activation of TB & Chest Disease Hospital, Khuzama to COVID Hospital and identifying Seikhazou UPHC for 24X7 essential services and other related issues, the CMO was advised to examine and propose required logistics so that the DTF can take the matter up with the concerned department.
On the status of availability of oxygen and essential medicine, Dr Sentimeren informed additional points for oxygen would be completed at the NHAK within a week’s time. Citing the health department, he informed the house that another 1000 LPM which is almost three times the size of what it has at present would be installed at NHAK and said that preparations are underway. On the difficulty of procuring oxygen regulators, he informed that the matter is being taken up as top priority the department is taking and will be addressed as quickly as possible.
The meeting also deliberated on various issues pertaining to the COVID-19 related matters in the district and decided that one ambulance will be stationed at Meriema for transferring any severe COVID patients to NHAK. The NHAK and CMO office will immediately work out the plan for essential health care service requirements and shifting of OPD and vaccination centre to PMTI at the earliest. The feasibility of setting up of COVID care centre at sub-divisional level along with district administration officers, medical officers and ASHAs were also discussed, along with the need to sensitise the public on the disposal of COVID dead bodies through social and print media.
Reviewing the total lockdown measures based on the observations and suggestions from various quarters, the DTF felt that more stringent measures have to be imposed during the extended lockdown. The DTF has therefore entrusted all Village and ward/colony authorities to be more vigilant and strictly monitor non-essential movement in their respective jurisdictions and areas. Wearing of mask and social distance will be strictly imposed on the shopping days and to strictly implement the modification of lockdown directives in regard to opening timing of markets and closure of takeaways, food delivery services in the district, the report stated.
