All steps for people’s welfare: Admn
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, May 16: Strong resentment is brewing among the inmates of quarantine centres over alleged lack of facilities and delay in results of test for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
As per the reports, the people quarantined in M A Stadium virtually protested against the administration today and said they were better at Delhi and other places where from they came as they were at least putting up in their flats and quarters safely. They alleged that Government was exposing them to more risk as large number of people have been quarantined with no focus on social distancing.
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However, administration contested the claims of the quarantined people and said that despite influx of large number of stranded people no stone is being left unturned to ensure timely reports as well as all possible facilities to ensure their comfortable stay at the quarantine centres.
As per the reports, the people stranded at Delhi were brought in MA Stadium on May 14 morning and since then they are waiting for the test results which were taken on the same day. The inmates of the centre alleged, “there is no proper toilet facility and those existing are totally stinking which can expose them to any kind of infection”.
Pranav Mahajan, an IT Executive working in private sector said, “there is no bathing and proper toilet facility in the quarantine centre. Moreover, the people cooking meals do not maintain physical hygiene and they never use hand gloves as such exposing us to risk of getting infected. Even there is one wash room for 70 to 80 persons”.
Raj Kumar, another inmate of the quarantine centre, who reached here on May 14, said first day there was everything in order but next day rush increased leading to total mess. “Instead of putting us here it was better for the administration to put us in home quarantine. There is no medical staff and no checking is done”, he added.
People quarantined at IT Centre opposite Police Station Janipur said, “there is neither cleanliness nor social distancing”. Same is the condition of the people quarantined at Kissan Ghar Rest House in Fruit Mandi Narwal.
R K Bhan, one of the inmate of the quarantine centre said that he along with his family was put in this centre on May 6 and next day the samples were taken. Though Bhan has no grievances with the arrangements in the quarantine centre but since May 7 he is waiting for the result of his test.
However, about this particular case, the administration said, “the samples of Bhan and his family members were rejected along with many others”, adding “they were retested on May 14 and the reports with regard to three of his family members turned negative who were shifted to their residence at Jagti by the administration on May 15”.
“His report is awaited and he will be relieved once the report is received”, the administration further said.
There are about 40 medical and engineering students at the quarantine centre at Gujjar Desh Charitable Trust Narwal since May 12. The samples of these students were taken on the same day but till date the results are awaited.
When contacted, the District Development Commissioner, Jammu Sushma Chauhan totally denied that there are inadequate facilities at quarantine centres in Jammu. “The administration is working round the clock for the welfare of the quarantined people”, she said, adding “good standards of food and hygiene safety are being maintained”.
Moreover, there are paid quarantine options and in case someone wishes to pay and stay in single room accommodation he or she can be sent there.
The DDC said that due to influx of large number of stranded passengers, the UT’s testing facilities have been stretched to its fullest. “The Heath Department is doing its best to give results in shortest possible time”, she further said and requested the incoming passengers to bear with the administration in the larger interest of fighting the disease.
Meanwhile, Director Health Services Jammu, Dr Reenu Sharma said that the number of tests is increasing day by day and to overcome the load the administration is sending some samples outside Jammu including Srinagar and Delhi. “These tests go by road and take time in reaching there so naturally results are delayed”, she added.
She said that at GMC Microbiology Lab there is a capacity of conducting 2000 tests daily while 700 to 800 tests are conducted at Command Hospital Udhampur and 300 to 400 at IIIM Jammu daily.
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