Morung Express News
Kohima | May 28
An advisory panel of experts has been constituted to provide expert opinion on various aspects of emergency COVID-19 response in view of the surging cases in the state. The panel was constituted in pursuance to Section 17 of the Disaster Management Act 2005.
According to a notification dated May 13, 2021 by the Home Department, Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority which made available to the media at a press conference on Friday evening, the panel consisted three experts— Dr Satish Ranjan, Sr Scientist, Molecular Immunology, Drug Development to fight Coronavirus from University Hospital, Magdeburg, Germany; Col Sanjay Srivastava, Emergency response, Chemical and Biological Warfare, CROPC-MoES, New Delhi and Dr Manoj Murhekar, Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Preventive & Social Medicine, Disease Surveillance and Outbreak Investigations, Director, National Institute of Epidemiology, New Delhi.
The services of the Advisory panel experts shall be utilised by the SDMA/SEC for a period of one year through virtual consultation or any other means of communication, and they shall be paid allowances at the rate of Rs 12,000 per consultation, the notification stated.
“The panel of experts’ members shall provide accurate scientific advice to the members of SDMA/SEC to take COVID-19 appropriate preventive measures by the state,” it added.
When queried on the necessity of constituting an expert panel from outside, Advisor and State Spokesperson Mmhonlumo Kikon said, “We need the expertise of the ones we have hired to advise the state on any further course of action— one case in point is the black fungus for which we need specialists, in anticipation of any case which might come.”
Reiterating the focus of the government to address the issue head on from the beginning, Kikon maintained that certain provisions available are being taken to address the emergency situations that are “before us.”
On being enquired of the contributions of the panel, Kikon said “As of now, they have had only one sitting.”
With regard to the human resource sector, Kikon maintained that in view of the health care workers and the human resources available, the transfer and posting of health care workers are only done depending on the need in certain districts. That is, in case any district faces shortage of health care workers because of the increase in case load.
“Random postings are not done and the state government is ensuring that no district is devoid of health care workers if the situation goes bad,” he added.
On being queried if the colonies are allowed to make their own restrictions following ‘self imposed complete lockdown’ when the government guidelines are already in place, the spokesperson responded that, “if there is any violation we are not aware.”
Kikon however, stated that clear directives have been given to allow essential services even in containment areas. He maintained that response of the village/colony/panchayat on this issue was “when cases are detected, this is the only way to contain the virus.”
Nonetheless, he said the district task forces have been apprised to strengthen the village task forces and disaster management authorities, and added “from tomorrow, they will have regular meetings.”
On the allegations of the NPF on the absence of expertise in the HPC, Minister and government Spokesperson Neiba Kronu responded “HPC is assisted by the entire medical department’s expertise and we have the war room, and basing on their recommendations, we take decisions.”
On the directives of Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench taking suo moto cognisance of issues relating to the 2nd wave COVID-19 in the state, Kikon said the war room has taken note of the directions. “War room is taking note of that and discussing, only after that we will get back to you,” he said.
