Konyak mothers make six-point appeal to Nagaland government

Assures full co-operation to the state government and district administration; lauds services provided at Dimapur quarantine centres

Dimapur, June 8 (EMN): While assuring its full co-operation to the government of Nagaland and the district administration in combating the Covid-19 pandemic, the Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khong (KNSK) Mon, Hq (Apex) and Kohima unit on Monday made a joint six-point appeal to the state government for Mon district.

The KNSK (Konyak Mothers’ Association), stated that the joint six-point appeal was framed after deliberating “on the important issues on Covid-19 contagion in Mon district” and based on the current situation.

Fund allocation: The KNSK has claimed that ‘out of INR 79.21 crore of Covid-19 fund’, Mon district has so far received only INR 82 lakh. It stated that Mon is 3rd highest populated district in the state, only next to Dimapur and Kohima as per the 2011 census, and thus “funds should be allocated accordingly”.

While informing that the district has 16 functional quarantine centres and has received 545 returnees; one quarantine centre is being set up at Tizit and other sub-divisions are prepared to receive the returnees, the organisation said the Konyak community, spearheaded by Empowered Group Committee Mon, has mandated another 14 days of quarantine before being sent home to reduce community transmission of the virus.

It went on to mention that Mon has one of  the highest returnees from Chennai, out of which, 23 Covid-19 positive cases has been reported and those from Bengaluru had been sent directly to the district without halting at Dimapur. ‘There is a huge backlog of swap samples yet to be tested in our state, and more returnees are expected. In this connection, the KNSK appeals to the government to allocate Covid-19 funds according to population, returnees at risk and intensity of the contagion,’ the press release read.

Medical fraternity: The organisation has reiterated the demand of Konyak Union (KU) to strengthen the medical fraternity under Mon district. The president of KNSK Apex, Lomei Konyak stated that “Mon medical fraternity is functioning with doctors and nurses meant for 50 bedded hospital only, out of which 9 (nine) are on leave”. So, the ‘organisation has requested the government to deploy nine doctors in lieu of their leave period while reminding that  Civil Hospital, Mon was upgraded to 100 beds during the then minister of  H&FW Imkong Imchen, and should be made functional with doctors and nurses as required’.

‘It may be mentioned that Mon Civil Hospital was improved with the services of MSF consequently more patients are covered, hailing from neighbouring places like Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar,’ the press release stated.

Personal protective equipment (PPE): The KNSK has appealed to the state government to supply quality protective gear, citing lack of PPE for sanitation workers, drivers and volunteers who are engaged in service at the quarantine centres.

‘Since, their exposure to potential infection is equally high, the KNSK requests for such provisions to be made available, and plead for PPE even for those workers of other districts rendering their invaluable service to the people and the state,’ the statement read.

TrueNat machine: The KNSK informed that Mon district currently has only one TrueNat machine with limited testing capacity and two ventilators. Stating that the deputy commissioner of Mon, Thavaseelan K, has been working tirelessly, arranging quarantine centres and other necessities for the district, the organisation has appealed to the government for early intervention so that thousands of innocent lives are not put to pandemic risk.

“The Konyak Union (KU) is also in the process of procuring another TrueNat Machine however, with returnees pouring in from all the Red and Orange zones and owing to large population, KNSK appeals for more TrueNat machines to be issued to Mon district without delay for testing and re-testing more people,” the press release said.

BSL-3 lab: While appealing to the government to make the bio-safety level 2 (BSL-2) laboratory in Dimapur functional, the organisation also requested the government to be prepared for “setting up of BSL 3 lab in Mon district on the eventuality of worst case scenario (sic)”.

It said BSL-3 lab and TrueNat machine are a necessity, citing experts’ advisory for the need to “test test test” in order to contain the spread of the Covid-19.

Dimapur quarantine centres: The KNSK appreciated the services provided at Dimapur quarantine centres and the frontline workers for shouldering Chennai returnees of Mon district and appealed that “the existing status quo be maintained” to lighten the burden of Mon district.

In the event of serious cases, as there are not enough ventilators, ICU beds, isolation wards or manpower in Mon district to treat even the serious patients of other illness, let alone facilities to combat the contagion, it stated.

“There are also not enough private hospitals and clinic in Mon as in Dimapur and Kohima to treat general sickness which are equally important,” it added, while appealing that ‘certain quarantine centres be designated to treat serious patients of Mon district’.

Requests returnees to be disciplined

The KNSK went on to state that it is currently taking up the responsibility of preparing food for all the inmates at quarantine centres, with essential food items being donated by Empowered Committee Mon and other essential items like vegetables and firewood supplied by villagers and well-wishers. It assured to co-operate with the government and the district administration in the fight against the deadly virus.

The organisation also requested the returnees and patients to be disciplined, stay positive and recover, thereby allowing the frontline workers to perform their duties without much stress and disruption. “Together we shall overcome this challenge; together we will survive this trial”, it stated.