Hand-washing booths installed at shelter homes
As many as 40 hand-washing booths have been installed at the Shelter Homes (Panahgahs) in the twin cities to help fight the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).
"With the help of a Strengthening Participatory Organization, we have installed at least three hand-washing booths at each 'Panahgah'," said Prime Minister's Focal Person on Shelter Homes Naseemur Rehman while visiting the Tarlai panahgah for a routine inspection.
The Tarlai panahgah is among eight shelter homes which have been set up in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi and are located on the outskirts of the federal capital. It provides night stay and food to around 150 homeless and needy people every day.
Giving break-up of the hand-washing booths set up, Rehman said that three hand-washing stations have been set up at each panahgah in Islamabad, including Tarlai, Sector G-9, Bara Kahu, and Sabzi Mandi.
"In the prevailing situation, hand-washing booths at the panahgahs will work as critical equipment in combating the virus which has devoured several lives across the world," the focal person said.
He added that around 40,000 daily wagers have benefited from the hand-washing facility.
Moreover, Rehman said that all shelters have been disinfected to ensure that the facilities do not become a source for a cluster.
To enhance the green character of the shelters, the focal person said saplings of different species have been planted around them. Moreover, he said that all shelter homes have been provided with medical supplies after migrant workers started returning to the major cities in search of jobs.
Service providers at shelter homes, Rehman said, had been asked to strictly adhere to the Covid-19 precautionary measures, while teams are deputed at shelter homes to sensitize in-mates about virus protective guidelines to prevent the virus from spreading.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 13th, 2020.