Returnees arrive to Dimapur Railway Station during the lockdown in 2020. (Morung file Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | February 12
Nagaland’s Governor RN Ravi today said that the state government was successful in taking various measures successfully “that were so vital for combating COVID-19.”
In his address to 7th session of 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) here on February 12, Ravi said “The Government lost no time in planning and establishing testing facilities for COVID-19. We have now 3 (three) BSL labs and over a period of time we have acquired 32 (thirty two) TrueNat machines.”
Capacities were also enhanced by private healthcare providers who walked hand in hand in the fight against COVID-19 he said adding that the government also took steps to increase the number of health professionals and workers in public health facilities.
Health infrastructure uplifted
Ravi said 134 posts of doctors, 221 posts of nurses, 23 posts of technicians and 12 posts for the BSL Labs were created.
He said that the overall health infrastructure of the state also saw a significant uplift.
District hospitals not having functional ICUs were provided with requisite infrastructure and equipment.
To modernize the supply chain management supported by a robust IT platform, the medical department set up a State Warehouse at Kohima.
The Medical Department is also setting up medical oxygen generation plants in 10 district hospitals and CHC Jalukie with a total generation capacity of 1680litre per minute.
“This will reduce dependency on pre-filled oxygen cylinders and ensure ready availability of bedside oxygen for patients,” he said.
Ravi said that the nationwide lockdown imposed in March 2020, by its sheer impact on the economic activities led to certain hardships to “our people in other states of the country.”
Rs 24.75 crore relief in cash provided
The Government immediately stepped in and about Rs 24.75 crore relief in cash was provided which benefitted 37,932 persons.
Further, as many, who were stranded in other parts of the country, wanted to come back, the government arranged trains and buses and more than 8,500 persons, not including those who came by making their own arrangements, were transported to the state from different parts of the country.
He said that elaborate protocols and arrangements were also put in place by the Government for quarantining the returnees so that the danger of spread of COVID-19 could be curtailed.
More than 25,000 persons who returned from outside, availed the facilities created by the Government for quarantining, he said.
The various measures taken by the Government coupled with the steps taken for making people adhere to COVID-19 appropriate behaviour ensured that the Virus spread in the state was contained, he said.
The mortality rate due to COVID-19 remains relatively less than other states, he said.
“Our medical doctors, nurses, all other frontline workers, deserve our deepest appreciation for their determined and selfless services for battling against COVID-19, under very demanding circumstances. We also express our gratitude to all our mass-based organizations including the churches for their whole-hearted support to the Government in its fight against COVID-19,” Ravi said.
6300 health workers vaccinated
He said that the government have now started vaccination against COVID-19 of the health workers and up till February 5 about 6300 have been vaccinated.
“We expect to finish the 1st Phase for vaccination of the health workers by February 20. Vaccination of more than 43,000 other frontline workers has also been started,” Ravi said.
Ravi said the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the lockdown, and the economic disruption that followed, brought out starkly the vulnerability of the state in terms of food sufficiency.
Re-skilling and gainful employment
Further, the lockdown led to massive layoffs and many of the people who were employed outside were forced to return.
“Their numbers were in thousands and there was a huge challenge of creating employment opportunities for them. With a view to devise responses to these economic challenges, a Strategic Committee for Economic Affairs headed by Chief Minister was constituted and subsequently a Core Group consisting of experts and other stake holders was formed to work out strategies and plans to strengthen the State’s economy,” Ravi said.
The Core Group after extensive deliberations has formulated an economic road map with an integrated Convergence Action Plan to revitalise the economy.
The Government has initiated action on the various plans formulated by the Group. Special focus is being given to sectors like up-gradation of facilities in health care, education, youth resources and sports. Re-skilling and gainful employment for the youth is also being given major focus.
The Department of Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship has, towards this end, developed and launched, Nagaland Job Links Portal to help connect job seekers and employers for placement in the private sector.
He said the department also introduced Mobile Skill Morung to ensure access to skill development for rural youth and women.
The Department has also rolled out the Multi Skilled handyman program to ensure that every trainee is skilled in 3 or 4 job roles to earn their livelihood. The Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), also developed and launched an e-commerce platform namely 'Yellow Chain' which empowers the traders by providing them an opportunity to carry on with their online, he said.
