With the nationwide lockdown extended by another two weeks, the state government agencies continue to intensify preventive measures so the public do not become slack in following government guidelines. Trainings are being conducted for frontline workers in preparation for any eventuality of COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in the state. Announcements are being carried out intermittently through PA system while ambulances have reached some district headquarters and COVID Hospitals continue to be scrupulously prepared. The first Truenat Screening Lab has been installed at IMDH Mokokchung and another one is slated to be set up at Mon very soon. Sanitisation drives are also being conducted in various places across the state, especially in the border areas adjoining Assam.
Mokokchung
Truenat Screening Lab installed at IMDH: Mokokchung installed a Truenat COVID-19 screening laboratory which was formally launched by minister Health & Family Welfare Pangyu Phom, at Regional Diagnostic Centre (RDC) Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital (IMDH). The Truenat Screening Lab is from the Central TB Division New Delhi for use in National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) lab for TB patients. However, Truenat Lab can be used for other diseases also and since the state lacks a testing machine at present for the COVID-19, it is being used for screening of the same. The Truenat is a chip based RT-PCR for screening of COVID-19 and process of testing involves a respiratory sample from throat or nasopharyngeal swab is required for testing. If the test result is negative, the test is confirmatory negative for the sample. However, test maybe repeated after few days if the case is still suspected of COVID-19. In the case of a positive report, the sample needs a further confirmation by RT-PCR from an ICMR approved lab. For the testing, the company has provided a Viral lysis media along with the test kit, so unlike other VTMs the virus is killed and thereby negating the need for Bio Safety Level cabinets. But ICMR has stated that if BSL is available it is preferable. The test takes approximately 1 hour to generate the report, so testing can be done on an OPD basis. Usually, the cost for COVID-19 test in such labs cost around Rs. 1500/-, but the government has made the test free of cost. The installation of this lab is the first of its kind in the state and subsequently the second lab will be installed at Mon in a few days’ time, as per official sources. (Correspondent)
Mock drill on COVID-19 held: Mock drill was held at Mokokchung on May 2 to tackle the eventuality of COVID-19 positive case in the district. According to DIPR report, the simulation involved a number of important Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) activities such as patient management and treatment, containment of COVID-19 positive area, dead body management of diseased COVID-19 positive patient, and management of unclaimed dead body of suspected COVID-19. The incident commander was ADC Mokokchung while DIG range, commanding officer 23 Assam Rifles and SP Mokokchung were the observers. Mock drill was followed by a de-briefing session at the Incident Command Post (Town Hall, Mokokchung) by deputy commissioner, Limawabang Jamir who is also the RO (Responsible Officer). A number of procedural lapses were highlighted by the three officers duly noted by the team for future references and to ensure effectiveness should the situation arise.
Kohima
NDRF screening and sanitisation drive: One sub team of team Kohima 12 Bn, NDRF, under command of SI/GD, K. P. Singh, carried out sanitisation drive at old chief minister’s residence, meeting hall & surrounding area on May 2. A press release stated that, the team also conducted thermal screening of all participants at the Joint Legislators Forum meeting held the same day on Naga political issue, under chairmanship of chief minister Neiphiu Rio. NDRF team sprayed disinfectant consisting of sodium hypochlorite with the help of jet spray machines in connection with COVID-19.
DTF COVID-19 review meeting held: Kohima District Task Force (DTF) COVID-19 review meeting was held at DC’s office chamber, Kohima on May 2 under the chairmanship of deputy commissioner Kohima Gregory Thejawelie. According to DIPR report, meeting was convened to discuss on how best the DTF can streamline and regulate things for effective implementation of the guidelines for the next two weeks extended lockdown. Deliberating on the extension of lockdown for further period of two weeks by the central government, DC said considering that certain relaxations are being allowed as Nagaland is in green zone, however guarding and sealing of boundaries was the most critical area, which needed to be taken up seriously at this juncture.
In this regard, the DTF decided to straighten the entry points, especially the Peducha Check Gate with more manpower and resources involving Medical team, Police and SDRF for proper screening, details of the persons and sanitisation of vehicles which also include the essential commodity trucks. Members also stressed on thorough and strict checkings of proper documents approved by the concerned individual states while entering the district at the inter-state check gates of the district by the personnel manning the gates. Members further discussed various issues in regard to the prevalent situation, which needs to be regulated during this lockdown.
Training for NST drivers and conductors: A basic training for drivers and conductors of the Nagaland State Transport (NST), organised by the office of Chief Medical Officer, Kohima was held at its conference hall on May 2. According to DIPR report, training was conducted for the NST drivers and conductors who have been detailed to perform emergency COVID-19 duties. Dr. Rupert DIO Kohima as the resource person enlightened the drivers and conductors on the basic safety measures with proper guidelines and protocols of COVID-19 to be followed while performing their duties. During the training, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) were also distributed to all the personnel for safety measures. Station superintendent, Kevilhoutuo Sekhose and yard master, Kekhriengutuo from NST department attended the training along with the drivers and conductors.
Zunheboto
Ambulance service launched at Zunheboto: Fully equipped ambulance service, under the ministry of H & FW, which reached Zunheboto district on May 1, was launched by DC Zunheboto Peter Lichamo at Hezükhu Memorial District Hospital, with a dedicatory prayer programme on May 2. According to DIPR report, DC while addressing front line workers, public leaders and heads of departments, appealed to the department concerned to make use of the ambulance service with utmost sincerity for the purpose intended. While appreciating government for making the service possible at the district, he added that advisor, School Education, K T Sükhalu should be given credit for the ambulance reaching the district at the earliest. The key for the ambulance handed over by DC was jointly received by MS and CMO, Zunheboto.
Sensitisation training held on COVID-19: Training and review meeting on COVID-19 for SMOs and MO i/c was held on May 1 at CMO office, Zunheboto. A press release from CMO office district media officer, Shekho Sophie stated that, Dr. Alemwabang Aier DPO (RCH & UIP) shared about surveillance inside the containment and buffer zone. He highlighted about contact listing, active surveillance, passive surveillance, field surveillance team, logistics and sample collection test advisory. Dr. K Akaho Sema, Dy. CMO briefed about cluster containment strategy, cluster definition, trigger for action, defining containment zone and buffer zone, declaration of containment and buffer zones and perimeter control in the containment zone. Dr. Shikatoli Achumi spoke on influenza like illness, severe acute respiratory illness and rational use of PPE. Tokuli Wotsa DPM QA shared about contact tracing standard operation procedure and use of disinfectant. Scientific session was followed by discussion hour on micro-planning and preparedness status review which was moderated by Dr. Akaho Sema, Dy. CMO. Earlier, training-cum-meeting was chaired by Dr. Aron, DTO NTEP and welcome address was delivered by Dr. Khehokhu Chishi, CMO, Zunheboto.
Similarly, 2nd phase sensitisation training on COVID-19 for HoDs, school principals (government and private), ANM/ASHA/AWW was held from April 28 to 29 at town hall Zunheboto. Dr. Alemwabang Aier DPO (RCH & UIP) encouraged and motivated the participants to take special initiative. He informed the public not to panic but to take precautions seriously to be safe from the virus. He talked about contact tracing and sample transportation, risk communication and social stigma and also emphasized on sample collection. Dr. K Akaho Sema, Dy.CMO highlighted about containment zone and dead body management. He briefed about the cluster containment strategy, definition, perimeter control in the containment zone. Dr. Chumdemo briefed about the factors in risk communication, social stigma and rational use of PPE under different situation. Dr. Shikatoli Achumi spoke on the active surveillance tips, donning and doffing and catering. Tokuli Wotsa, DPM (QA) shared about preventive measures and home quarantine tips, quarantine and isolation guarding tips, use of disinfectant.
Wokha
Pangnyu visits District Hospital Wokha: Minister of Health & Family Welfare S. Pangnyu Phom visited Wokha COVID-19 District Hospital to oversee the preparedness taken by the District Task Force (DTF) and health department to contain COVID-19 pandemic. According to DIPR report, Dr. Motsuo Memorial District Hospital is presently designated as COVID-19 district hospital. Minister, while interacting with the DTF and members of the Lotha Hoho, expressed satisfaction at the action plans taken up by DTF and health department after inspecting health care facilities of the designated district hospital. He also lauded the efforts put in by all the frontline workers who were rendering their selfless services. Minister stated that Wokha district was a vulnerable and high-risk zone area as the district shares long stretch of border with Assam and there may be many challenges while combating to contain the diseases. He assured the DTF that in his own capacity he would look forward to assist the district in all possible ways and added that, any grievances faced by the district be highlighted to the government so that immediate action can be initiated. Pangnyu also appealed to the district administration, health department, Police and civil societies to be more united and co-operative to face any eventuality. He also lauded the initiative undertaken by the deputy CM of Home & R&B, Y. Patton who has visited all the PHCs and sub-centres under Wokha district. Beside other logistics requirements of the district, chief medical officer, Wokha Dr. C.W. Tungoe, also submitted a proposal for immediate posting of medical officers in various PHCs centres. Lotha Hoho led by its chairman who had inspected the district hospital on April 20, found out that the COVID-19 District Hospital does not have required doctors and medical equipment, for which the Lotha Hoho has also submitted memorandum for immediate replacement of doctors attached to Dimapur and the one who was on study leave. Hoho also stated that the doctors are not posted as per the sanctioned strength for the district for which the Hoho appealed for redressal at the earliest. Hoho also requested for basic medical equipments as per the requirement of the district such as X- Ray machine, ventilators, cardiac monitors, thermal scanners and standard PPE. Deputy commissioner & chairman DTF, Orenthung Lotha urged the minister to immediately post medical officers at Yimpang, Yanmhon, Moilan, Aree and Ralan villages and to provide better health care facilities to combat and to contain the pandemic crisis. Minister assured to address their requirements and informed the district to send a qualified person while collecting mentioned materials from the directorate. Earlier, Pangnyu also handed over one new ambulance to the district. He was accompanied by minister of Housing Tongpang Ozukum and advisor for Industries & Commerce, Skill Development, Imnatiba. Minister was received by advisor Higher Technical & IT, Science & Technology, New & Renewable Energy, Mmhonlumo Kikon, advisor for Horticulture & Border Affairs, Mathung Yanthan and Dr. Chumben Murry MLA.
Mon
Emergency relief to victims affected by storm: A total amount of Rs.15,16,500 allotted to Mon district by the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), Kohima for emergency relief of the victims affected by recent storm was distributed and handed over to the victims on April 27 at DC’s conference hall by the deputy commissioner & chairman, DDMA, Mon, Thavaseelan K. According to DIPR report, an amount of Rs.4 lakh each as ex-gratia was handed over to the family members of two people who passed away; Rs.1,01,900 to the victim of one fully damaged house, Rs.1,01,900 each to the victims of six) severely damaged houses and Rs.3,200 to the owner of one partially damaged house.