Nagaland working to strengthen post COVID economy: Govt spokespersons

Testing capacity to be enhanced with more Truenat machines; streamlining COVID-19 response

Morung Express News
Kohima | June 7

In a bid to increase testing capacity in the state, the State Government has procured 7 Truenat testing machines as of Sunday, with more arriving in the next few days. 

Addressing a press conference on June 7 at the Chief Secretary's Conference Hall, Nagaland Spokesperson for COVID-19, Mmhonlumo Kikon informed that 7 Truenat machines have arrived in the state while 15 more are coming in a few days time. 

“The testing capacity per day as of four days ago was 171 per day. According to the Department of Health and Family Welfare, once all these machines are installed, the testing capacity will increase from 171 to 820 per day. It will greatly ease the State's capacity," he added. 

The State Government has also been devising mechanisms to streamline COVID-19 response in the state according to co -Spokesperson Neiba Kronu. 

Kronu, who is also the Minister for Planning and Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary affairs, told media persons that the State Cabinet held a meeting on Saturday where it deliberated on existing SOPs for returnees and among other things, decided to also allow paid quarantine centres to those returnees who wish to avail it.

He also informed that the Cabinet deliberated on “encouraging and enlisting private labs to conduct tests for COVID-19 at government approved rates, and enlisting cooperation and involvement of tribal bodies and Government Officers Associations for providing food in institutional quarantine." 

Economic affairs
Addressing concerns on the economic affairs of the State and various strategies for strengthening the economy, Mmhonlumo Kikon stated that there are already two strategic committees on economic affairs headed by the Chief Minister and a core group headed by the Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner for strengthening of economy in view of the pandemic.

Further, Kronu said that the Cabinet also decided that details of quarantined returnees such as name, address, mobile number, past work experience, skill proficiency, etc, will be acquired in order to develop institutional mechanisms for skill upgradation. This mechanism, he said, has been deliberated so that people who stay back are able to receive gainful employment and earn their living.

"It was also decided that mechanisms will be put in place for registering anyone who wish to go out of the State to work so that all the details are available and the government is in a position to promptly reach out to anyone outside the State who is in distress and provide assistance should the need arise in future,” Kronu stated.

Over Rs 24 crore relief for stranded citizens
With regard to assistance provided to stranded citizens outside the state, spokesperson Mmhonlumo Kikon said "From the very beginning, the government has been taking the challenge of supporting students and working citizens outside Nagaland to look into the issues they have raised." 

In comparison to other States in the country, Kikon stated that the Government of Nagaland has spent the highest amount of money in supporting students and working citizens citing the special package of Rs 3,000 for students and Rs 4,000 for working persons. Another important aspect is the special package of Rs 20,000 for patients outside the State and one-time assistance of Rs 10,000 for non-returnees. 

“A total amount of Rs 24,84,86,000 has been disbursed till date. Further the government will publish the list of all the beneficiaries and the amount given to them in the next few days. That list will also be available in the website,” Kikon informed.

Further addressing concerns raised on the intake capacity of the State, Kikon stated, "Our learning experience in the past two months has enabled us to address these various management issues. Our district administrators are working 24/7 to address these issues."

 
13008 beds available at QCs
Kikon also highlighted a few figures on the capacity of the entire state vis-a-vis total number of quarantine facilities which stood at 238 centres with 13008 numbers of beds available.

On quarantine protocol, Kikon remarked that in the entire country, Nagaland ranks the top five among the strictest quarantine imposed on returnees. 

Additionally, Kikon sought to clarify that the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) policy structure remains the same although certain SOPs are reviewed. "SOPs are meant to respond to challenges. It cannot be static," he maintained.

Kronu meanwhile informed that the Cabinet has also asked the DGP to identify persons circulating fake or deceitful videos or messages pertaining to COVID-19 in the social media and punish them as per law.