DTF Kohima holds virtual meeting on Covid-19 activities in district

Dimapur, May 31 (EMN): District Task Force (DTF) Kohima held a virtual meeting on Monday to deliberate on various issues pertaining to Covid-19 activities in the district.

The meeting was headed by minister-in-charge for Kohima district, Tongpang Ozukum along with advisor for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Dr. Neikiesalie Kire, advisor for Technical Education and Election, Medo Yhokha and state nodal officer for Kohima district, and secretary PHED, Kesonyü Yhome, DC Kohima, Gregory Thejawelie and sr. SP Kohima, Kevithutuo Sophie, an update from DPRO Kohima informed.

It stated that the DTF unanimously agreed upon the High Powered Committee's decision regarding opening of hardware shops in the district in order to facilitate construction works. It was also decided that additional restrictions or imposition of total lockdown by any authority would not be allowed except the DTF.

On the agenda of AYO appeal letter, DIO Kohima, Dr. Rupert informed that 23,842 doses were due for second dose and a balance of 16,219 doses for 18 to 44 years category were in stock at present. He said that by next few more sessions for 18 plus beneficiaries, 30 doses would be left while a huge number of doses were still available for the 45 plus category, as this category recorded low turnout. He informed that steps have been initiated in this regard by increasing vaccination centres, intimated heath centres to mobilise vaccinators under all villages and conduct outreach sessions by coordinating village authority, block task force in these areas, and hoped that more people will be vaccinated in due course of time, it stated.

It said that the DTF had decided to come up with pamphlets containing information on Covid-related issues and do's and don'ts in local dialects as pointed out by AYO for awareness and consumption of every section of people in the district.

On the agenda of suggestions made by AKMWP on vaccination of youth volunteers, engaged by the district administration for fighting the Covid pandemic, DIO informed that the volunteers, who were 45 years and above could register onsite and get vaccinated. While volunteers below 45 years could also get themselves vaccinated at any of the session sites with employee certificates signed by concerned authority as issued by the ministry during the start of the vaccination drive. Regarding private hospital testing and reports, CMO Dr. Vezokholu Theyo informed the house that registered private hospitals had been sending reports while few private hospitals/clinics yet to register in ICMR portal were informed to be registered, it read.

Concerning the case of deaths while in home isolation especially in rural areas, the DTF decided to work on the availability of SDRF work force for extension of their services in such areas. Meanwhile it was also decided to work on setting up an SDRF team at the sub-divisional level. It also discussed that the SDRF team would be informed and activated to ensure the handling of dead bodies on time. One representative from private hospitals to be part of DTF to propose vaccination timeline for 45 years and above, to take action towards those person not cooperating with the authority in regard to contact trace, to create awareness and disseminate related information through various medium, to conduct random testing in all villages as much as possible, to re-visit the aspect of random testing in rural areas to assess the actual prevalence of positive rate and to pursue the oxygen regulator matter etc, it informed.

The meeting also took up the follow up actions discussed in the last meeting regarding the ambulance call centre, delivery of essential services, requirement at DBS Sechü-Zubza and other related issues. AYO, AKMWP and other DTF members also attended the meeting, it added.