Nagaland govt should act if it wants COVID-19 rate to drop below 5%: NPF

Kohima: Nagaland opposition party Naga People’s Front (NPF) on Tuesday said that the state government should act to bring down the COVID-19 positivity rate rather than “merely” sitting and waiting.

The party’s response came after Nagaland health minister S Pangnyu Phom recently stated that the imposition of lockdown in the state will continue in the state till the COVID-19 positivity rate is below 5%, as per the direction of the Central Government.

It also questioned the state government on what basis has the Central government directed that lockdown in the state should continue if the positivity rate does not come down to 5%.

Saying that unless the government augments medical facilities in all district hospitals, CHCs and PHCs, and address the “acute shortage of manpower” like doctors, nurses and other technicians, it questioned how the ruling PDA government is expecting the positivity rate to come down.

It advised the state government to also “seriously view and take initiatives in addressing the hardship the public is going through” while making decisions to enforce the lockdown.

‘State government to be accountable for mismanagement of funds‘

The NPF party also expressed “deep anguish” over the ruling government’s handling of COVID-19 situation, and the misuse of state funds in the name of Covid-19.

It said that after the party raised concern about the shortage of medical kits in all districts, the government has purchased pulse oximeters, which although is “laudable” was purchased at an exorbitant rate by spending around Rs 40 lakh.

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“The party wonders if the government spent such a huge amount of money for pulse oximeters then it is expected that each district will be receiving more than 200 pieces of pulse oximeter,” it said.

NPF also said that apart from the pulse oximeter, there is more medical equipment which are required in all district hospitals, which the government needs to immediately attend to.

The opposition party also warned the government that for any expenditure made on COVID-19 and other misuse of funds, the government should be held accountable.