Dimapur, May 18 (MExN): The National People’s Party (NPP) Nagaland on Tuesday noted the State government’s measures for tackling the COVID-19 pandemic and expressed dismay at the ‘partial treatment’ towards the State capital.
“It is disheartening to see how the government is executing a step motherly treatment to the rest of the districts when Kohima itself is oversaturated with development,” it stated.
The NPP further highlighted that Dimapur has been the worst affected district in the pandemic more than the previous year. However, it alleged that the government “has played a blind eye from the very beginning and even thought it was a wiser idea to install the BS- 3 lab first in Kohima.”
It also alleged that a bigger oxygen plant which is said to produce 300 liters per minutes was set up in Kohima, as against the oxygen plant in Dimapur which is said to produce 200 liters per minute, “when the situation is more critical in Dimapur.”
It criticized the “unjust handling of COVID relief procedures” by the government and stated that it would be only fair to have a ‘need-based’ handling of the situation “instead of political or tribal centric narrow views.”
The NPP further asked the State Family Health & Welfare department to clarify why no efforts were taken to strengthen and revitalize the sole BMA Oxygen manufacturing plant in Nagaland for any eventualities.
Citing a media interview on July 10, 2019 where the Proprietor of the plant had reportedly commented that the department spends Rs 2.3 crore annually to import oxygen gas from Jorhat, Assam when the same could be procured from the BMA plant in the State at the cost of Rs 70 to 75 lakh annually thereby saving the state treasury by Rs 1.55 crore.
It questioned why the department is choosing to import oxygen from Assam at a higher rate.
On random testing
Meanwhile, the NPP also expressed apprehension regarding the random COVID-19 testing, “if not carried out hygienically.”
The party requested for every item going in and out of the hospital to be thoroughly and regularly disinfected including the ambulance, oxygen cylinders, PPE suits, equipment, pathways, waiting area etc. Stating that it is a matter of life and death, the NPP said that there should not be any loose ends, faulty or improper testing procedure which may lead to several blunders and loss of lives.
The party expressed gratitude to all frontline workers relentlessly working and making remarkable difference by putting their lives at stake. It also thanked APC Nagaland, Y Kikheto Sema for effectively handling and trying to curb the situation.
On train coaches as isolation wards
The NPP also welcomed the Railways’ move to convert train coaches into temporary isolation wards for COVID-19 patients, while pointing out that feasibility is critical.
It urged the DTF to first do a proper assessment before it becomes functional to be used for poor, migrant workers who do not have home isolation facility as and when the capacity at Covid Care Centre, Chümoukedima is exhausted as decided by DTF.
It mentioned that the claimed 160 beds is not plausible as it can only accommodate 80 persons since the distance between two beds is hardly one and half feet which goes against the SOPs.
In this regard, the party called for a re-evaluation and a logistic take on the probability of train coaches as temporary COVID-19 hospitals for several safety reasons and “not merely giving service as a pacifier or an eye wash.”
It urged all citizens to shed personal differences and collectively think about the welfare of the people who are suffering and need help at this time. It encouraged the citizens to not shy away from highlighting the lapses of the government but give constructive criticism for the welfare of all.
While reassuring its unflinching support, the NPP expressed hope that the government with gained wisdom and experience from past episode is now well equipped and prepared to face any eventualities.
