Correspondent
Though the number of Covid patients in other districts was not very high and medical teams were handling the situation without much difficulty, Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) principal director (PD), Dr Neikhrielie Khimiao admitted that the situation in Dimapur and Kohima was quite alarming.
And considering the overall scenario, he said the department had proposed total lockdown, following which High Powered Committee (HPC) on Covid-19 decided during its meeting held on Monday to impose total lockdown throughout the State from May 14 for a period of seven days.
He revealed that Peace Zone Committee (PZC) decided to recall one doctor and lab technician each, besides two nurses, from each district to fill up the gaps in manpower to manage the crisis in Kohima and Dimapur.
He explained that the district chief medical officers (CMO) were empowered to recall doctors, nurses, fourth grade staff or lab technicians from any health units to assist them in their work in consultation with district task forces (DTFs).
Meanwhile, to be better prepared for tackling Covid-19 pandemic in the State, PZC submitted a representation to the State government seeking declaration of CIHSR as Covid hospital and laying down provisions for rapid extensions in case the hospital ran out of beds since CHISR was centrally located and had sufficient space for extension.
Interacting with a section of media persons here on Wednesday, Dr. Khimiao said CIHSR had 200 beds and 20 were earmarked for Covid patients with necessary equipment for critically ill patients. He said he was positive that more beds would be arranged.
He said that though District Hospital Dimapur has been declared as Covid hospital, due to rapid rise in cases, if the government could convert CIHSR also to Covid hospital, then it would further ease the burden.
He mentioned that the H&FW directorate decided to assist private hospitals, including CIHSR, with more oxygen cylinders and oxygen concentrators to meet the demand in Kohima and Dimapur as a goodwill gesture because the best solution available for management of Covid patients was oxygen at the moment.
Acknowledging that private hospitals raised concern over the 50% reservation of beds for Covid patients made mandatory by the government, the PD said the hospitals have, however, agreed to assist and give their best efforts by reserving some beds for Covid patients. He remarked that this offer could be of great help to the State in combat the pandemic.
On reports about resignations of some doctors and nurses, Khimiao remarked that he had so far not received any resignation from government in-service doctors, but admitted that when the government directed private nursing homes to reserve 50% beds for Covid patients, the concern was raised.
On Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s remark that if Covid could not be controlled in the State, then it could not be controlled in the entire Northeast, Khimiao assured that measures had been initiated for stringent checking at all entry points by road, airway and railways, adding test was the only solution.
Govt urged to ask Manipur to release Naga doctors: Meanwhile, Dr. Khimiao said he urged the State government to write a letter to Manipur government to release four Naga doctors who had recently completed their studies.
He alleged that the Manipur government was reluctant to let the four Naga doctors, who had recently passed out from Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, return home.
He claimed that the four doctors had passed and received their certification, but the neighbouring State was not willing to release them. Hence, after hearing from the four doctors, he said he had approached the State government to immediately send one letter urging Manipur government to release them.
Genome sequencing: As Nagaland did not have the facility for genome sequencing, the PD said the samples that were sent were improper and hence this could not be done. He admitted that more training and expertise would be required to do the genome sequencing.
He remarked that though genome sequencing might not be applicable immediately, this would be applicable in the long run with better management of cases.
On plans for arranging makeshift hospitals, Khimiao said talks were being held by the H&FW department with the police and paramilitary forces for setting up makeshift hospitals.
But, he pointed out that experts were required to treat the patients, who required assisted oxygen therapy, and providing assistance in respiratory cases in make-shift hospital might not cater to the needs.
According to the PD, makeshift hospitals will have to have all facilities like ventilators, trained doctors and nurses to work effectively and shifting equipment was not easy and, therefore, he said he would not recommend makeshift hospitals for now.
Vaccination: Dr. Khimiao informed the media that the amount needed to pay for procurement of vaccines had been paid to the manufacturing company and, if things were favourable, he said the consignment could be expected by next week.
On rolling back NHAK to Covid hospital, he explained that considering the plight of poor patients, a concrete decision to convert NHAK to a Covid hospital could not be taken. However, he said if proper system/precautionary measures could be taken, the hospital could manage both Covid and non-Covid cases.
On installation of oxygen plant in Kohima under PM Cares Fund, he said almost everything was complete and only certification was awaited, adding that once the certification was done, it would start functioning. For Dimapur, he said things were almost ready, except for pipe connections and the technicians would be arriving by Thursday.
With special permission, he said the health team would do the screening and testing and begin the work. On completion, the team would travel to other districts for pipeline connections.
He said the district administrations were asked to assist the team in installation of the oxygen plants.
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