Irfan A Mir
Srinagar, May 16 (KNS): Over dozen of laborers evacuated from Uttarakhand a week ago and subsequently quarantined at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in central Kashmir’s Khanpora Budgam district alleged authorities of misplacing their Covid-19 test reports. They appealed Lieutenant Governor led administration to take serious note of dereliction of duties by concerned health officials.
Talking to news gathering agency – Kashmir News Service (KNS) – Abdul Hameed Khan stated that authorities of Uttarakhand and some NGOs along with J&K UT administration evacuated the stranded laborers and ensured our return to native district Budgam on May 10. He said soon after our arrival, authorities kept us in quarantine centre established in Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Khanpora Budgam.
He said doctors and other paramedical staff at JNV Khanpora Budgam took our samples on May 12 and on May 13 late evening we were asked to come outside for getting reports. He said the group came to know about reports which were negative as per official serving at the facility and we were hopeful about their home return.
Khan said we were surprised when another official intervened and directed his junior to take them back inside as their reports are yet to reach. “The other official directed his junior to take us back as our reports are yet to reach. He suggested us to wait for half an hour for reports but unfortunately despite passing of three more days, our reports are yet to come”, he said.
Another member of the group told KNS that authorities have put our lives into risk as those quarantined after our arrival, have been investigated and allowed to return back to their homes.
They alleged health officials of misplacing their Covid-19 samples. “We are sure now that our Covid-19 samples have gone misplaced as the centre lacks required medical protocol”, they said.
They added there are unsatisfactory facilities for quarantined persons as no mask or sanitizer is being provided here. “As we spent a week now, we have never been given a single mask at the centre. Isn't that a matter of concern that four tooth brushes and two sanitizers were given to 16 persons?”, they questioned.
The group appealed Lieutenant Governor led administration to take serious note of dereliction of duties by concerned health officials who are tight lipped about their discharge from the facility.
Meanwhile Director Health Services Kashmir (DHSK) Dr Sameer Mattoo denied the allegations of misplacing samples. He said our job is confined to get samples from suspects and issuing a report card is in the domain of GMC Srinagar.
“Till reports won’t be issued by GMC Srinagar, quarantined people can’t be allowed to walk home”, DHSK told. (KNS)