Health officials asked to arrange provisions for essential services

Dimapur, May 22 (EMN): Minister of PWD (Housing and Mechanical) and in-charge of Kohima district, Tongpang Ozukum, has directed the officials at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK) and the chief medical officer (CMO) to work out a plan to accommodate patients for other essential services.

Speaking at the virtual meeting of Kohima district task force on Covid-19 via Zoom app on May 21 under the chairmanship of the deputy commissioner of Kohima, Gregory Thejawelie, Ozukum reminded the members about the difficulties faced by the public in the previous year when NHAK was converted to Covid hospital. He also felt that the Red Cross ambulance should be requisitioned for emergency services during such pandemic, a DIPR report stated.

Besides the minister, others who attended the virtual meeting included state nodal officer for Kohima district and secretary of PHED Kesonyü Yhome, CMO Kohima Dr. Vezokholu Theyo, MS of NHAK Dr. Sentimeren Aonok, AKMWP and AYO representatives and other DTF members.

On a 24×7 dedicated helpline including the private hospitals, the minister felt that the hospital ambulance services should also be provided and asked to coordinate with the private hospitals in this matter.

State nodal officer, Kesonyü, pointed out that at this stage the DTF has to be prepared in such a manner that all the proposals are to be operationalised by Monday. He also suggested random sampling in rural areas to assess the positivity rate in the community.

On the agenda of delivery of essential healthcare services with the designation of NHAK as Covid Hospital, Dr. Sentimeren enlightened the members on the progress of opening up the Covid wards and Covid ICU at NHAK and on the essential healthcare services continuing at the same time at NHAK.

Dr. Sentimeren informed that preparation is underway for shifting of the Covid serious patients from Meriema Covid Hospital to NHAK Covid Hospital as instructed by the government. At present, the NHAK has not fully converted to Covid Hospital as there are lots of patients who still require essential services, said Dr. Sentimeren.

The CMO also informed that all medical officers of CHCs and PHCs would be directed to be stationed in their respective posting places where vaccination would continue in the centres. On re-activation of TB and Chest Disease Hospital at Khuzama to Covid Hospital and identifying Seikhazou UPHC for 24×7 essential services and other related issues, CMO was entrusted to examine and propose to DTF in order to take up with the concerned department.

On the status of availability of oxygen and essential medicine, Dr. Sentimeren informed that within a week time, an additional point of oxygen would be completed in the NHAK. He informed the house that another 1000 LPM, which is almost three times the size of what they have at present, is to be installed at NHAK as conveyed by the department for which preparation was under process. On the difficulty of getting the oxygen regulator all over the country, he informed that the department is taking the matter on top priority to address as quickly as possible at the earliest.

The meeting also deliberated on various issues pertaining to the Covid-19 related matters in the district. After thorough discussion, the house decided to place one ambulance at Meriema for transferring any severe Covid patients to NHAK. The NHAK and CMO office are also asked to immediately work out a plan for essential healthcare service requirements and shifting of OPD and vaccination centre to PMTI at the earliest; to work out the feasibility of setting up of Covid care centre at sub-divisional level along with district administration officers, medical officers and ASHAs and to sensitise the public on the disposal of Covid dead bodies through social and print media

While reviewing the total lockdown measures, the DTF felt that more stringent measures should be imposed during the extended lockdown. The DTF also entrusted all village and ward/colony authorities to be more vigilant and strictly monitor the non-essential movement in their respective jurisdictions and areas.

It further affirmed on wearing of face masks and maintaining social distance on the shopping days and to strictly implement the modification of lockdown directives in regard to opening timing of markets and closure of takeaways, food delivery services in the district.