Govt takes strict measures at shelter homes

Focal person says Centre trying to protect vulnerable

ISLAMABAD: In an effort to control coronavirus, the government has expedited its efforts to protect shelter homes inmates through inclusive steps, aimed at ensuring neat and clean facilities for those who are especially vulnerable to contract the virus due to minimal access to electronic media and public awareness messages.

"Mobile teams have been designated for the eight 'Panah Gahs' (shelter homes) of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, which are currently busy in giving a practical demonstration to its visitors and dwellers on mask-wearing, personal hygiene, and use of soap and sanitisers," said the Prime Minister's Focal Person on Shelter Homes Naseemur Rehman during his visit to the Tarlai facility.

Tarlai 'Panah Gah', which is among the eight shelter homes of the twin cities, is located on the federal capital's outskirts and provide night-stay and food to around 150 homeless and needy every day.



"Out-reach team and face to face communication is the principle focus of our awareness creation strategy due to low literacy rate of the shelter homes' dwellers," he said while highlighting the initiatives taken by the administration on the instruction of Prime Minister Imran Khan for the safety of the 'Panah Gahs' inmates.

Naseem pointed out that the government had recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO) to install hand-washing booths at all the shelter homes, operating across the country.

"As part of the efforts to ensure a neat and clean environment and reduce risk of infection at all the shelter homes, its administrations will be collaborating with the SPO shortly for ensuring the provision of clean water with chlorination," he said.

Efforts were also afoot for disinfection of the facilities in the worst case scenario, he added.

The focal person said thermo scanners had been installed for screening of every visitor, arriving at the facilities set up across the country.

Provision of soaps, sanitisers and face masks had also been ensured to make sure the safety of each and every dweller of the shelter homes, he added.

Naseem said the health advisory containing precautionary measures had been forwarded to volunteers and service providers of Panah Gahs for educating the facility's beneficiaries about the coronavirus.



The administrations of shelter homes had also been provided audio clips containing information about safety measures against the COVID-19 for creating awareness among shelter homes inmates.

"Shelter homes' beneficiaries have been advised to avoid physical contact and keep at least a distance of three feet with each other, wash hands properly with soap, abstain from touching doors and their knobs unnecessarily," he said, adding "the safety and health of masses is our topmost priority."

The focal person said a team of 11 volunteers comprising locals and volunteers had also been formed to handle day-to-day affairs of every shelter home. The initiative was also aimed at getting input from its dwellers to ensure the provision of better services, he added.

Naseem said the segmentation of people staying at the shelter homes were also underway in a bid to provide due care to the elderly and especially vulnerable people.  

Published in The Express Tribune, March 22^nd, 2020.