Dr Vizolie Z Suokhrie (Left) during and interaction with media persons in Kohima on June 9. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | June 9
Nagaland’s Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) Department today stressed on the need to address the stigma and discrimination brought about by the many myths and misconceptions about the COVID-19 pandemic.
To this end, Principal Director, H&FW, Dr Vizolie Suokhrie said “The panic reaction is going too much, which is leading to stigma and discrimination and particularly to the health workers.”
Addressing media persons in Kohima today, Dr Suokhrie stressed on the need to address such areas very strongly. “Otherwise a time will come where health workers may not be able to work at all," he said.
Citing reports that some colonies and villages are not allowing even the health workers to go to their respective homes, Dr Suokhrie observed that “These are all because of misconception without knowing the truth and the reality.”
If we start discriminating frontline workers, we will not be able to defeat COVID-19 infection, he said, while adding that whether we like it or not, it is possible that the Corona virus is going to stay with us for a long period.
In this, Dr Suokhrie stressed on the need for collective efforts to prevent the disease instead of intimating each other or accusing one another and “not taking law into our own hand.”
‘N95 mask is for health workers’
The Principal Director emphasized on the use of masks in the proper way stating that “It should be used to cover nose up to mouth otherwise just wearing for the sake of wearing and exposing your nose and mouth is pointless.”
He stated that N95 masks should be reserved for those health workers who come into direct contact with the patients and encouraged the public to use the other types of masks available in the market. “Please do not waste wearing N95 mask. Please give it to my health workers,” he added.
With regard to other safety gear, the official said that the department has procured different sets of PPEs for different categories of workers and emphasized on the importance of rational use of PPEs.
‘More than 85-90 % recovers even without medicines’
The Principal Director maintained that COVID-19 is preventable “if we collectively work together and take social responsibility,” adding that individual responsibility is required.
“Your safety is your responsibility,” Dr Suokhrie said, while also reminding the public of the health and safety practices like frequent hand washing, social distancing, etc to be followed at the workplace, at home and in public places.
Further, he said that “More than 85-90% recovers even without medicines,” while adding that the recovery rate is very high for the age group of between 15- 45 years.
COVID Care Centre
Dr Suokhrie said that mild and asymptomatic cases will be transferred to the COVID Care Centres so that the COVID hospitals can be reserved for more severe cases if COVID cases continue to increase in the state.
He also added that the department is planning to set up COVID care centres in all the districts of the state.
With regard to the management of confirmed cases, the health officials stated that in asymptomatic cases which will comprise of about 80 percent of confirmed cases, no specific treatment would be required but the patients would have to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
The testing strategy of the State was also discussed at the interaction whereby the officials stated that presently the State is following a 5th Revision Strategy. The officials also informed that the testing capacity of the State which presently stands at 230 tests per day is likely to increase to 800 tests per day in the next few weeks.
