In case of emergency, shout!

With lack of protective equipment, curious interaction ensues. (Image: pixabay.com)

Lack of safety gears result in curious interaction, but it's not a laughing matter

Morung Express News

Dimapur| March 24

In a case of sheer resourcefulness, security personnel in Tuensang had to resort to conduct COVID-19 screening by shouting from a distance.

According to an official, who did not wish to be named, about a week back, there was an alarm after a man from South India reportedly skipped screening at the designated check points in Tuensang. Subsequently, as dictated by the Standing Operating Procedure, medical personnel were sent to his place of residence. 

But in the absence of proper safety gears, they could not risk going near him. With only hand sanitizers, gloves and surgical masks at hand, they had to stand outside and shout questions while the man shouted back in response.

To everyone’s relief, the man turned out to be a resident of the town. He had actually gone to Kohima for some official work. He had no recent travel history to places outside the state and the matter was cleared.

No laughing matter
Though the people had a good laugh over the incident, it also revealed something more serious- the shortage of medical equipment and protective gears for response personnel.

A health official in Tuensang, who requested anonymity, told The Morung Express that a letter requesting protective gears and aid for preparedness will be sent to the Principal Director, H&FW department. As of now, all they have at their disposal are masks and sanitizers, he added.

Similar cases of unavailability of protective gears and equipment are being reported from other parts of the state.

In Dimapur, frontline medical personnel are facing similar predicament. Medical personnel, who were deployed at the inter-state check-posts for screening incoming passengers, were not provided with the necessary protective gear by the government.

Expressing dissatisfaction at the arrangements provided by the government, one such personnel said that they were “even asked to bring their own hand sanitizers and gloves.”

To top it off, there were occasions when thermal sensors/scanners gave haphazard temperature readings.