Mokokchung: Delay in seeking treatment causing more deaths

June 3, 2021 97 Views No Comment

Limasenla Jamir
Mokokchung| June 3

Mokokchung recorded a high percentage of COVID-19 deaths in Nagaland with 16 deaths out of 546 positive cases as on May 31, 2021. The district has also witnessed an alarming growth in positive cases in the past few days.

A nurse on duty at the Mokokchung district COVID-19 Hospital revealed that the main reason for the increase in death rate is because of late admission to hospitals.

“The main problem is that people go for check-up at the last moment. They wait for the flu to subside without proper treatment and when they finally come to the hospital, they are declared COVID-19 positive,” she shared. By the time they are admitted to the hospital, the condition of the patients become worse, especially for people with co-morbidities and very often they do not survive, the nurse said.

Another nurse narrated the case of a patient who was sick at home for almost two weeks and when he came to the hospital for treatment, he was tested positive for corona virus. But the virus had already taken over his whole body and he succumbed the next morning, she shared.

“Very often than not, people who die of COVID-19 are patients with co-morbidities. I would suggest everyone that if you have any pre-existing health conditions and if you have even a slight health issue or symptom of the virus, you should see a doctor immediately,” the nurse added.

On being queried about treatment of COVID-19 patients, Dr Kilang Pongener, Medicine Specialist, IMDH replied, “The treatment for COVID-19 positive patients is the same all over the State. Treatments are given as per the protocol and according to the condition of the patient.”

He was also of the opinion that there are many undetected cases and more tests needs to be done.

However, there is a constant fear for COVID-19 test among the citizens.

“Out of more than 500 households, only 1 sample was sent for testing at Arkong ward, Mokokchung, during the Active Case Finding routine. This clearly shows that the citizens are scared to get themselves tested and therefore they do not come forward and hide their sickness which is a plausible reason for the increase in the positive cases in the town,” said A Bendang Jamir, Chairman, Arkong Ward Yimden.

A concerned citizen, Imliwapang, pointed out that another reason could be the delay in declaring COVID-19 test results. “I was enlisted in the contact tracing and got myself tested at Flu Clinic, IMDH. However my test results came only on the fifth day. You cannot imagine the trauma and mental stress one has to undergo while waiting for the results and what if the person is in a serious condition? They may even die before the diagnosis without receiving any medical help,” he shared.

“Thankfully I was tested negative, but if a person is tested positive and the report is delayed, the person might go to work, visit the neighbors and friends during the waiting period and infecting all other persons he comes into contact,” he highlighted.

With only two working True Nat machines at the Flu clinic, the samples from Mokokchung are sent to Kohima and Tuensang for testing which leads to the delay in the results.According to Sentilong Ozukum, SDO Civil, Mokokchung, non adherence to COVID appropriate behaviours is also a reason for the increase in cases.

According to Sentilong Ozukum, SDO Civil, Mokokchung, non adherence to COVID appropriate behaviours is also a reason for the increase in cases.

“Mokokchung is witnessing a sharp increase in the positivity cases because of the aggressive contact tracing and testing, active case finding exercise conducted a couple of days back in Mokokchung Town and the people not adhering to COVID appropriate behaviours,” the SDO stated.

“We have witnessed some deaths in the past week because they were sick at home for weeks and came to the hospital only at the last minute,” he added. However, he also assured that the DTF and the Medical department is working tirelessly to contain the spread of the infection in the district.

Source: https://morungexpress.com/mokokchung-delay-in-seeking-treatment-causing-more-deaths