Correspondent KOHIMA, JUL 13 (NPN) : The State government is mulling with the option of re-imposing lockdown if the Covid-19 situation worsens after various relaxations through unlock-1 and unlock 2.
This was stated by principal director health & family welfare (H&FW) Dr Neikhrielie Khimiao while interacting with media persons at his office chamber here Monday. Dr Khimiao said the period of unlock-1 and 2 would be carefully observed and, if the situation worsened, current unlock would be reversed.
He also said the H&FW department was closely watching the situation and was stressing on following appropriate Covid-appropriate behaviours. Since crowd control was beyond the control of the department , Dr.Khimiao stressed that the police, district administrations and NGOs have to enforce the SOPs.
State lacks sufficient paediatricians: The PD also disclosed that the health department had to be prepared for any eventuality, especially against the backdrop of the threat of third Covid wave hitting the country. Dr. Khimiao admitted that Nagaland did not have sufficient number of paediatricians and many districts did not even have one.
Nonetheless, he said doctors and nurses were being trained on how to handle paediatric cases in the coming days. Dr. Khimiao pointed to reports that indicated that third wave might hit the children and for which the H&F department was conducting massive training programmes at the district level.
Covishield, Covaxin effective against delta variant: The PD also informed that both Covishield and Covaxin vaccines were quite effective against Delta variant of Covid-19. He said that so far there was no report of any death anywhere even after a lapse of 14 days since the second dose was administered. But, he admitted that there might be few who succumbed due to co-morbidity conditions.
Sputnik Vaccine V has 92% efficacy: On the efficacy of Sputnik V vaccine having 92% efficacy, as against 60-70% of Covishield and Covaxin, Dr. Khimiao said immunity period in Covaxin and Covishield was 3-6 months while in Sputnik V vaccine immunity period could last for two years.
As booster doses too were in the process of being rolled out, he hoped that things would get clearer as the days went by.
He clarified that there was no plan to give Sputnik V free, unlike Covishield and Covaxin which were purchased directly by Government of India to be sold to private sectors at approved rates. He said as Sputnik V vaccine was internationally recognised, persons planning to travel abroad were advised to opt for this vaccine. He, however, said it was not advisable for those who already took Covishield to take Sputnik V immediately till the immunity period was over and that this could be decided at a later stage.
Wokha testing rate low: On low positivity rate in Wokha district, Dr Khimiao attributed it to fewer tests. He said the H&FW department was trying its best to increase testing at all levels but also called for ending social stigma associated with Covid.
When asked about laxity in checks on incoming passengers at railway station and airport, he said every district task force (DTF) had the authority to initiate any action based on the given situation, even if unlock-2 was in operation.
PD also pointed out that DTFs were empowered to ensure that SOPs and advisories were followed and that citizens should also cooperate with the protocols issued by the government. He said protocols were meant for public safety and DTF should keep a close watch on the situation
Testing and vaccination to be ramped up: The PD also lamented on the misinformation being uploaded on social media and other public platforms, which were creating fear among citizens against testing or vaccinations. He said DTFs have been notified to carry out mass awareness.
He said the H&FW department would ramp up testing as death and positivity rates were correlated with testing. By increasing the testing, the State’s image of doing poorly at national level might also change he said. The PD also assured that sufficient testing kits would be provided to all districts.
Additional 15 PSA plants: Dr Khimiao also informed that Nagaland will receive additional 15 Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) plants with higher capacity through PM CARES Fund. Hence, lower capacity plants in some districts could be relocated to some community health centres and these replaced with the higher capacity PSA oxygen plants at district hospitals, he added.
Genome sequencing: As collections of covid positive samples involved transportation from all districts for sending samples for genome sequencing every 15 days, Dr. Khimiao said a letter was sent to the government urging it to take care of the transportation cost.
However, he said there is no separate budget allocation for transportation but informed that the department had already approved payment for transportation to send samples to Kolkata every 15 days.
Medical college classes at NHAK: The principal director informed that classes for the first academic year for MBBS would begin at NHAK from 2022 , since completion of the Nagaland Medical college building might take some more time.
He said the new medical college was making good progress and the sports complex, apartments, dean and MS complexes were expected to be completed by mid-2022.
He also expressed the hope that works would be completed within the given timeframe and were being monitored closely by the court , even as the health department was having weekly review meetings with the contractors.
He said director of medical education would work out the human resource aspect and the director or dean of the institute would have to be in place first. He said next would be three professors of anatomy, physiology and biochemistry so that the first year classes could begin. He added that all the departments would not start functioning at one once. When classes begin, he said the second and third year activities could be planned.
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