Meetings discuss ramping up of COVID-19 activities

DIMAPUR, July 18: Trainings and sensitisation programmes continue
Pughoboto sub-division planning and development board (SDPDB) meeting was held under the chairmanship of additional deputy commissioner & SDPDB vice chairman, Thungchanbemo Tungoe at DB court hall, Pughoboto on July 16.

According to a DIPR report, the house approved the LADP 2021-22 schemes, which included the COVID-19 briefed on the vaccination and sensitisation drives being taken up in all the villages.

Meanwhile, executive engineer PWD, Chengkato Kath highlighted on the status of the road condition of the sub-division. The house also welcomed the new members, including EAC Ghathashi, Nitile Tep.

Random testing & vaccination to be intensified at Wokha town: District task force (DTF) for COVID-19, Wokha, has decided to conduct random sample testing during the DTF meeting held on July 16.

The random sample testing would be conducted at business establishments/shops/vendors at Wokha town, Vankhosung Mission compound, Wokha village and Longsa village.

The consultative meeting was held with village council chairman of Longsa, Wokha village, representatives from Lotha Baptist Churches Association (LBCA) Vankhosung, President Wokha District Chamber of Commerce & Industries and DTF members to work out mechanism for smooth conduct of COVID-19 testing and vaccination.

Dead body management training at Kohima village: With the initiative of DTF Kohima, the Kohima Village task force and the health & family welfare department, conducted a training and demonstration for dead body management at Christ King Church, Kohima village on July 17.

Resource person, deputy CMO, H&FW, Dr. Khriesilie Sachii elaborated on the updated guidelines of COVID-19 dead body management which was issued by the directorate of health and family welfare and stated that there was a minimal risk of spread of COVID-19 infection from a dead body if standard precautionary measures are followed However, misconceptions, stigma, and discrimination of the families remained when a person dies of COVID-19.

Dr. Sachii highlighted on the preparation of a dead body in a healthcare institution setting, the transportation process, the procedure at burial site/crematorium.

He also briefed on additional sections on handling COVID-19 deaths in a home/community setting safety guideline for caregiver of the deceased and prevention of stigmatisation. He further stressed that during lockdown or period of travel restrictions, the family members, relatives and friends of the deceased may be allowed to travel to attend funeral on special permission from the district task force (origin and destination) with safety precautions and COVID-19 appropriate behaviour.

Meanwhile, Kohima village council chairman, Helievi-o Solo lauded Kohima village volunteers, Kohima village scouts and guides for accepting the challenges at these trying times.

Earlier, convenor VTF, Dr. Khriesatalie Yhome highlighted on the importance of the dead body management at village level and sensitising the people of COVID-19. Later in the programme MO Botsa, Dr. Atsei-ii Yhome and her team demonstrated the donning and doffing of different personal protective equipment (PPE) kit.

COVID-19 vaccination at Notun Bosti: COVID-19 vaccination drive was carried out by Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC) Saturday at Government Primary School (Angami) and Council Hall, Notun Bosti Colony, Dimapur.

A press release by Notun bosti council Dimapur (NBCD) informed that 300 eligible beneficiaries were vaccinated during the drive and that so far 95% of the eligible beneficiaries of the colony have been vaccinated.

Review, sensitisation programme on COVID-19 at Jakhama: A review cum sensitisation programme on COVID-19 vaccination and testing for Jakhama sub-division was held today the July 17 at Bamboo Hall, Kisama organised by Kohima DTF on COVID-19.

According to a DIPR report, advisor for urban development and municipal affairs, Dr. Neikiesalie (Nicky) Kire also attended the programme.

Minister in-charge, Tongpang Ozukum minister for PWD (mechanical & housing) in his speech stated that Nagaland has recorded the lowest when it comes to testing and vaccination but highest in death rate in the country and in order to improve the situation the public was required to take individual responsibility and follow SOPs.

He also appealed on behalf of the government to the village and block level task force to use their authority to strictly implement the SOPs and COVID-19 protocol in their jurisdiction.

The minister further encouraged the gathering to be united against the fight towards the pandemic through understanding and cooperation.
Advisor, youth resources & sports, Zale Neikha said the prevailing rate of positive cases in the district was a concern and called for every responsible individual to contribute by following the SOPs in order to stop the transmission.

He said the only way to protect oneself from this virus was to get vaccinated and called upon the village leaders and apex organisations to disseminate and sensitise the people on the importance of testing and vaccination for the safety of the community.

Advisor for technical education & election, Medo Yhokha also stated that the government had opened the unlock-II not because the state was now safe from the virus but because it was a necessity.

Meanwhile, DC Kohima, Gregory Thejawelie stressed on the provision of law laid down under the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897/ Nagaland Epidemic Diseases (Covid-19) Rules 2020 and relevant section under IPC 188.

CMO Kohima, Dr. Vezokholu Theyo shared the history of the outbreak of COVID-19 and emphasised on the three covid appropriate behaviors to stop the transmission of the virus.

Village council chairmen, representatives from women organisation, Covid village task force, Southern Angami public organisation, Southern Angami women organisation and Southern Angami youth organisation attended the programme.

DHD receives dialysis machines: ICICI Foundation through the support of Fairfax India Charitable Foundation under Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis programme donated dialysis machines for district hospital Dimapur and Tuensang.

In a press release, national dialysis programme nodal officer, Dr Neisakho Kere mentioned that three dialysis machine sin District Hospital Dimapur had been installed on July 14.

Dr Neisakho Kere also informed the public that BPL cardholders could avail the service free of cost and would be available at a nominal charge as soon as the hospital would resume OPD and other Non-Covid essential services.
The programme would be installing the dialysis machine in district hospital Tuensang by the end of July and would be made functional by August.