Special emphasis on COVID-19 management in Dmp & Khm

May 18, 2021 62 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Kohima | May 18

With the surge in COVID-19 positive cases particularly at Dimapur and Kohima, special emphasis on COVID management is being given to these two districts.

Interacting with the media at his office today, Principal Director, Health & Family Welfare, Dr Neikhrielie Khimiao said there may be slight increase of cases in other districts, “but particularly for Dimapur and Kohima we have put special emphasis on COVID management.”

Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK) will be converted and function totally as a COVID Hospital with effect from May 17, informed Dr Khimiao.

As done in the first wave of the pandemic, he said all the private hospitals were requested to assist in the management of the general patients—medicine or surgical related. All the health facilities in and around Kohima should be able to cater to the medical needs of the general public, he stated.

When asked how poor people will avail medical treatment as private hospitals are costly, the Principal Director said the government will have to come out with clear cut instructions as was done in the previous year.

To this, he also remarked “In times of epidemic or pandemic, in a given situation when we are in a crisis, certain measures have to take place and it was for this reason, the government has come out with such alternatives.”

While there have been reports of District Hospital Dimapur being overwhelmed with the number of cases, Dr Khimiao claimed that though the number of positive cases has increased, the hospital has not run out of beds.

Mechanisms have already been put in place where all the medical facilities in the district have been requested to give medical care services in all the respective PHCs, CHCs and Sub-Centres, informed Dr Khimiao.

With the current condition in Dimapur, he maintained that they are able to manage it comfortably, but if and when the need arises, the department is prepared to create a makeshift hospital.

He further informed that private hospitals are willing to extend help, adding that the government would provide oxygen supply and concentrators. “As soon as we get the consignments, these will be addressed,” he stated.

The Principal Director further informed that the State Government has sanctioned funds as per the requirements of the Health Department on emergency basis. He said that modalities would be worked out based on reports from all the districts and necessary purchases would be made as soon as possible.

On reports of some districts functioning without doctors, Dr Khimiao said that in recent transfer postings, some of the doctors in certain districts have been transferred without replacement.

Taking cognizance of this issue, he said the department had, on May 16, worked out the modalities to address this immediately. To this end, he informed that the newly recruited doctors have been earmarked to fill the deficiencies that have been arising in Zunheboto and other districts as well.

He meanwhile stressed that vaccination is the best weapon against the virus. “That is the only way we can check the virus, and over and above people have to strictly follow the SoPs,” he added.

Source: https://morungexpress.com/special-emphasis-on-covid-19-management-in-dmp-khm