Nagaland
One of the N95 masks allegedly provided to health workers at Naga Hospital Kohima. The hospital authority claimed that it was not a case of ‘fungal infestation’ but sealing ‘foam’ falling off and the old stock is being used as “stop-gap arrangement” for mock drills and intended for return when the drills are over. (Morung Photo)
Health Minister orders recall of inferior quality PPEs
Morung Express News
Kohima | April 16
Reacting to the news report— ‘Nurses at NHAK given mouldy government-supplied N95 masks’ on April 14, the NHAK went into defensive damage control mode at a press conference today. The hospital authority claimed that it was not a case of “fungal infestation” but sealing “foam” falling off.
The NHAK Public Information Officer, Dr. SendimerenAonoksaid that the masks were of “old stock” procured during “H1N1 outbreak in 2007.” H1N1 was first reported in 2009.
According to him, the old stock is being used as “stop-gap arrangement” for mock drillsand intended for return when the drills are over.
As to the question of 13-year old PPEs, he claimed that it had raised the issue with both the state and Central governments. The response it received was, he said, “Doctor you must understand that you are not going to work under a sterile environment. You are going to work under unsterile infectious environment.”
He also informed that fresh PPEs consignment, which the NHAK hasreceived, will be activated as soon as it receives the first positive case, and added, “we want to be judicious in our approach and usage.’
Meanwhile, the justification notwithstanding, The Morung Express stands by the report as published on April 14 as no documentary evidence was furnished to vindicate the claim.
Nagaland Health and Family Welfare Minister, S PangnyuPhom has meanwhile directed the Principal Director of Health and Family Welfare to recall all “inferior and incomplete quality PPEs and other medical equipment” which have been distributed to the district hospitals, CHCs and sub centers with immediate effect. The Minister directed that they be replaced with good quality materials “considering the life of our frontline workers.”
The Minister noted that many of the hospitals and their staff are lodging complaints regarding improper emergency medical equipment, “knowing the fact that their life has been put under risk and uncertainty in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.”
