SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS STRESS ON INTENSIFIED COVID VACCINATION AND TESTING
Senior administrative officers along with a senior officer from the health & family welfare (H&FW) department visited districts and held meetings with the District Task Forces (DTFs) in order to review the steps being taken to manage COVID-19 pandemic at district level.
Wokha: District Task Force (DTF) on COVID-19, Wokha held a meeting with commissioner & secretary, excise and sericulture Orenpemo Kikon and joint director, health & family welfare, Dr. Chekroshuyi Tetso at the conference hall of the deputy commissioner (DC) on August 23.
According to a DIPR report, Orenpemo Kikon said that the district has been doing a commendable job from the beginning of the pandemic till today.’
Orenpemo said that as the state was expecting the third wave, they had to be prepared to prevent it as it could be fatal to children.
While speaking on the purpose of their visit to the district, Orenpemo said testing should be ramped up including vaccination.
He said that facilities available for further preparation was also to be ascertained including ways and means to assist DTF to make a plan on creating awareness and to educate the people even in the rural area on getting vaccinated.
He further appealed stakeholders of the district to help the DTF in creating awareness on the benefit of getting tested and vaccinated.
Meanwhile, Dr. Chekroshuyi Tetso also said that no one knew what the situation could be in a few months if the third wave came.
The state has already lost the people of the most productive age group which is 30-60 years during the first and second wave and Wokha alone has lost 70 persons during first wave and almost 370 lost their life during the first wave, he lamented.
Therefore, Dr. Chekroshuyi said Wokha in particular was doing a commendable job in dealing the pandemic.
Dr. Chekroshuyi however said that the district needed to increase its performance on testing and vaccination so that all the targeted age group was vaccinated.
Earlier, the meeting was chaired by chairman DTF & DC Orenthung Lotha while deputy CMO, Wokha, Dr. Zuben Kikon presented status report on COVID-19 scenario in the district.
The meeting was attended by the members of DTF, chairman Lotha Hoho and representative from Lotha Baptist Churches Association (LBCA) and Lotha Catholic Churches Association.
Longleng: State level monitoring team on COVID-19 led by commissioner & secretary, geology & mining, K. Libanthung Lotha along with joint director H&FW, Lhovizotuo Belho visited Longleng and held a review meeting with DTF Longleng on August 23 at the conference hall of the DC, Longleng.
The meeting was chaired by deputy commissioner & chairmen DTF Longleng, M. Shayung Phom.
The chairman apprised the visiting officers of the current COVID-19 status in the district.
Addressing the meeting, K. Libanthung Lotha appreciated the work of DTF and emphasised on the importance of the role played by NGOs of the district and on the reinforcement and preparedness of DTF for the looming third wave.
He stressed on the need for attaining 100% district vaccination and increase of COVID-19 testing.
Lhovizotuo Belho stated that the state government was ready to help NGOs and DTF in extending supporting to the district in COVID-19 related activities.
Meanwhile, ADC Longleng, D. Robin, H. Shamthai representative from Phomla Hoichem, Tialemba, executive secretary PBCA, CMO Longleng Dr. Obangjungla and DPO (RHC & UIP) Longleng Dr. S. Imnameren also spoke at the meeting.
Dr. S. Imnameren informed the house of the 100% vaccination status acquired by Amosen, Chingong, Mongkhong, Shamshangching, Tangha and Yongnyah and one department, DEF Longleng.
He also apprised them of the strategies applied by the medical department in collaboration with the churches such as vaccination drive in all villages on Sundays, encouraging various leaders to be the forerunner for COVID-19 vaccination and testing drives.
Earlier the monitoring team visited CHC Yachem and Yaongyimchen villages and had an interaction with village task forces (VTFs).
After the meeting the monitoring team along with DTF visited Covid hospital and district hospital Longleng and interacted with medical officers led by MS & CMO. The team also visited Namching Health and wellness centre.
Peren: State level monitoring team on COVID-19 led by additional secretary, power, Mohammad A. Shihab along with deputy director, H&FW, Dr. Thomas visited Jalukie sub-division under Peren district on August 21 and convened a meeting with SDTF members on COVID-19, FBOs and CSOs at ADC Office, Jalukie under the chairmanship of ADC Jalukie-cum-SDTF Chairman, Dr. Tinojongshi Chang.
Presiding over the meeting, ADC Jalukie briefed the officials on the preparedness of the district. He lamented over the low progress of vaccination drive in the district and also lauded the civil societies and faith-based organisations for their involvement and support and urged them to continue with the same spirit.
A brief report on current COVID-19 status, available resources, testing and vaccination status were highlighted by deputy CMO, Dr. Lanuakum Jamir and UIP/RCH, Dr. Kiholi.
In his address, Mohammad A. Shihab lauded Jalukie SDTF and medical fraternity for their collective effort in the fight against COVID-19 in the sub-division effectively despite facing numerous challenges. He extended his appreciation towards various civil societies, frontline workers, faith-based organisations and various unions involved for their contribution towards better management of COVID-19.
Stating that the people had already witnessed two waves of COVID-19 and the third wave was expected to hit anytime, Ali encouraged the gathering to come as one to support the medical department to meet the daily requirements on how to combat the pandemic.
Further, he also disclosed that the government was very concerned about vaccination coverage.
In this regard he appealed the gathering to continue supporting the medical department constantly in order to ensure vaccination of all persons even at the sub-divisional level.
Earlier, the monitoring team also interacted with Ahthibung sub-divisional task force/block task force at SDO (C) Office, Ahthibung and visited PHC Ahthibung, COVID hospital Jalukie, CCC Jalukie and PHC Heningkunglwa.