Higher & Technical Education and Tribal Affairs minister, Temjen Imna Along, who is minister in-charge of Peren district for COVID-19, has said that though the concerns of the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) were understandable yet incorrect and not based on facts as the matter has been blown out of proportion.
Responding to the demand by the CSOs for his removal as minister in-charge COVID-19 for Peren district, Along in a rejoinder said it was unreasonable to blame him for the incident when a COVID-19 positive person was sent to Peren along with 16 returnees tested negative.
Along recalled that the H&FW department had clarified that two persons, one positive and one negative, having the same name got mixed up and for which he need not clarify further. He however expressed the wish that insinuations and aspersions be not cast on any particular person as it was not easy to distinguish between the two returnees having same name, same gender and from the same district.
Along also said that even though he could not travel to Peren on a daily basis, he visited Tening and Jalukie community health centres (CHCs) on April 9 and again visited the district on May 21 . In the latter date, Along said he held a coordination meeting with leader of opposition TR Zeliang, adviser Namri Nchang, Peren District Task Force (DTF), department officials and representatives of CSOs and church bodies of the district.
He also said after initiating upgrade of Tening health centre and Peren district hospital he visited the district again on May 30.
The minister in-charge also said he had personally taken up the matter with H&FW minister Pangnyu Phom to ensure that ventilators, TrueNat machines, generator, ambulance, etc, were provided to the district hospital, besides making personal cash contribution.
Along, however, clarified that he had never promised upgrading Jalukie CHC to a 100-bedded COVID Hospital but nevertheless, initiated repairing and renovation of the old structure at Tening primary health centre.
Along said he shared his concerns and encouraged frontline workers both at Tening and Jalukie to continue with their humanitarian work and also sought public support in this regard.
Along also claimed he had urged upon medical staff to make use of the resources to fight the pandemic by creating more awareness in the district, particularly at the grassroots level, and also to remain vigilant and cautious while dealing with patients.
The minister admitted that amidst the pandemic he had to travel to New Delhi on July 12 and returned to Kohima on August 12 over pressing matters.
He also said though he had been away from the State for a month, he kept in touch with Namri Nchang, who is also the co-in charge of Peren district for COVID -19 from whom he took regular updates about the situation in the district.
Along said while constantly endeavouring to work tirelessly for the people, it was beyond his control if there were reservations against his efforts.
Along said he was fully aware that it was not a one-man show but a community response adding “the resilience of the people of Peren and all frontline workers are commendable and greatly appreciated”. The minister also said he has been encouraging the frontline workers to put up a united fight against this pandemic and expressed the hope that he would endeavour to do even better in his given capacity towards the people of Peren as well as the State and the nation to ensure a COVID-free society.
Peren issue resolved on Aug 9, says NZPO
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