Nagaland govt sets up pediatric task force as preparative measure against COVID-19 third wave
Speaking about the infrastructural requirements, Health Minister S Pangnyu Phom
said that steps are being taken to strengthen ICU beds and testing facilities.
Among the several preparative measures being undertaken by the Nagaland government to tackle the third wave of COVID-19, the state government has also set up a pediatric task force to look into the state's preparedness, Health Minister S Pangnyu Phom informed on Thursday.
The task force has been set up under a senior director of the health and family welfare department with experts from the private and public sectors.
Speaking about the infrastructural requirements, Phom said that steps are being taken to strengthen ICU beds and testing facilities.
He also mentioned that additional capacities will be created at the sub-district level to cope with the possible third wave in a more effective manner.
There are also several challenges about vaccine hesitancy, testing hesitancy and the capacities of the healthcare delivery system which will continue to be addressed, the health minister said, adding that efforts are being made to increase the oxygen capacity in the state.
He said that the state currently has nearly 6,000 oxygen cylinders of various capacities, while the state had 1,417 cylinders at the beginning of the pandemic last year.
The 200 bedded hospital with 24 paediatric beds for acute medical care in CIHSR Dimapur is expected to get operational by September, he informed.
While addressing the various challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in the State, the health minister appreciated the healthcare and frontline workers for performing their duties efficiently and also urged everyone to continue to work together.
(Edited by Aparmita Das)
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