Kohima District Task Force (DTF) on COVID-19 had a virtual meeting on 31st May 2021 headed by Minister-in-charge for Kohima district Minister PWD (Housing and Mechanical), Tongpang Ozukum along with Advisor Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Dr. Neikiesalie Nicky Kire; Advisor Technical Education and Election, Medo Yhokha and State Nodal Officer for Kohima district & Secretary PHED, Kesonyü Yhome, IAS, Deputy Commissioner Kohima, Gregory Thejawelie and Sr. S.P Kohima, Kevithutuo Sophie.
The meeting chaired by ADC Kohima, Mhomo Tungoe deliberated on various issues pertaining to Covid activities in the district where DTF led by legislators decided the following as follows: As took up by the HPC in regard to opening of hardware shops in the District inorder to facilitate construction works, the DTF has unanimously agreed upon to the matter. It was also decided that additional restrictions or imposition of total lockdown by any authority will not be allowed except the DTF.
On the agenda of AYO appealed letter, DIO Kohima, Dr. Rupert giving an updates on vaccination drive, informed that 23,842 doses due for 2nd dose and a balance of 16,219 doses for 18 - 44 years category were in stock at present. He said that by the next few more sessions for 18 plus beneficiaries, 30 doses will be left only while for 45 plus category huge number of doses were still available as low turnout from this category were recorded. He therefore informed that steps have been initiated in this regard by increasing vaccination centres, intimated Heath Centres to mobilise vaccinators under all villages and conduct outreach sessions by coordinating village authority and block task force in these areas and further hoped that more people will be vaccinated in due course of time.
Taking note of the issues, DTF has decided to come up with pamphlets containing information on Covid related issues and do's and don'ts in local dialects as pointed out by AYO for awareness and consumption of every section of people in the district.
On the agenda of AKMWP observation and suggestions made on vaccination of youth volunteers who were engaged by the district administration for fighting the Covid pandemic, DIO informed that youth volunteers who were 45 years and above can registered onsite and get vaccinated and below 45 years can also get themselves vaccinated under frontline at any of the session sites on production of employee certificate signed by concerned authority as issued by the Ministry during the start of the vaccination drive.
In regard to private hospital testing and reports, CMO, Dr.Vezokholu Theyo informed the house that registered private hospitals have been sending reports while few private hospitals/clinics, which were yet to register in ICMR Portal were informed to get registered where the DTF also noted to take up the issue with the concerned hospitals to do the needful and to report as required.
On the case of deaths while in home isolation especially in rural areas, the DTF decided to work out on the availability of SDRF manpower for extension of their services in such areas meanwhile it was also decided to work on setting up of SDRF team in Sub-Divisional level.
The DTF further discussed on various issues and noted the following points as suggested by State Nodal Officer : SDRF team be informed and activated to ensure the handling of dead bodies in time; one representative from Private hospitals to be part of DTF; to propose on vaccination time line for 45 years and above; to take action towards those person not cooperating with the authority in regard to contact trace; to create awareness and disseminate related information through various medium; to conduct random testing in all villages as much as possible; to re-visit the aspect of random testing in rural areas to assess the actual prevalence of positive rate and to pursue the oxygen regulator matter etc.
The meeting also took up the follow up action discussed in the last meeting in regard to ambulance call centre; delivery of essential services; requirement at DBS Sechü, Zubza and other related issues. The meeting was also participated by representative of AYO, AKMWP and other DTF members.
(DPRO, Kohima)