HC directs Nagaland to strengthen COVID treatment facilities

DIMAPUR: The Kohima bench of Gauhati High Court instructed the Nagaland government to designate COVID-19 isolation centres along with facilitating free testing and ramp up testing.

The court also asked the state government to work on the possibilities of setting up RT-PCR testing facilities, increase the number of vaccination days, submit reports of man power availability at primary health centres (PHCs), community health centres (CHCs), district hospitals and review burial charges.

The court took suo moto cognizance of the second wave of COVID-19 situation in Nagaland.

The suo moto PIL was heard on My 5 by a division bench of Justice S. Serto and Justice S. Hukato Swu. The state government on May 24 was directed to comply with the directives.

After observing that the government has not been too active in setting up quarantine centres during the second wave, the bench asked the state government to mobilise surveillance teams to verify home isolation facilities.

“Instead home isolation for those infected with COVID has been by and large put to practice,” the court observed.

The bench further directed that in case a family is found without facility for home quarantine the government will designate place(s) for isolation.

The court said a person should be allowed to stay under home isolation while taking care of their medical needs and other needs only if such facilities are found.

“We are aware that RT-PCR testing facilities are available only at 3 places i.e. at Dimapur, Kohima and Tuensang. The State may explore feasibility of establishing such facilities even at other strategic places. However, for the PHCs and CHCs facilities of testing by True Nat or Rapid Antigen Test may serve the purpose,” the bench stated.

Talking about the vaccination drive, the court asked the government to increase the number of vaccination days for the age group of 18 to 44 years.

The court further directed the government to spread awareness among public by coordinating with Doordarshan, All India Radio and other print and digital media