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Our Correspondent
Kohima, May 8 (EMN): Old Age Home at Kohima seemed to have pulled through the lockdown period despite unprecedented hardships faced by many owing to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, thanks to generous contributions from well-wishers.
Old Age Home has been receiving bountiful relief materials from various quarters during the lockdown. Neithonuo Liegise, managing director of the nursing home for old people in Meriema, has attributed to the blessings from God.
Liegise informed that various NGOs, organisations, churches, government departments, well-wishers and individuals have been dropping essential commodities to the institute during the nationwide lockdown.
"From every corner, people are supporting us; we are very grateful to the government as well as NGOs, churches, organisations and well-wishers," she said adding, "We are receiving sufficient throughout the lockdown.”
Liegise revealed that the home had also shared surplus food items to the neighbours around them.
The home received two bags of rice and 20 kg dal from the government from relief distribution at Khuochiezie local ground.
It was learned that Old Age Home is also currently taking care of four non-Naga labourers engaged in the construction of a nursing home, who were stranded due to the lockdown.
Adhering to safety measures, she stated that the Old Age Home has restricted entry of visitors into the premises. She added that soap with water and hand sanitisers are also kept at the gate for visitors.
Altogether more than 35 people including five permanent staff are currently housed at the Old Age Home, Liegise said.
Liegise also shared that first aid items are also made readily available at the home for the inmates. She added that transport facility has been put in place for those requiring immediate medical treatment around Kohima town.
The administrator also informed that about three elderly people with mental health problems are doing well with the basic arrangement, adding they were provided timely medical consultation at the mental hospital. Besides monitoring regular health check-up to senior citizens by trained nurses, the Old Age Home is taking care of those bedridden, Liegise said.
Liegise has appealed to the public not to neglect the older citizens but to take care of them. "During this lockdown, I want to request all the citizens to take care of their parents carefully," she asked. She also appealed to the citizens to be kind and generous to the needy senior citizens in the society.
"We should help them (poor) in their needs," Liegise said and added that "we should focus our attention not only to Nagas alone but also to non-Nagas around us."
She also informed that the Old Age Home, which was established in 2005, would be observing its 15th anniversary on August 1.