Health authority, vendors lock horns over testing

Officials visit markets, collect samples from shops and verify workers' health cards

RAWALPINDI:

The Rawalpindi Health Authority and the city's grocery merchants, bakers, and sweet shop owners are once again in conflict over ‘unauthorised’ inspections of water, food materials, and workers' health certificates.

Despite restrictions, health teams ventured into markets across the district to collect samples from shops and verify workers' health cards.

According to sources, this action contradicts the mandate of the Punjab Food Authority, which is responsible for obtaining food samples and workers' health certificates from shops, grocery stores, and bakeries. Despite lacking the authority, health department teams were reportedly conducting inspections in Rawalpindi's markets, checking food materials, collecting water samples, and requesting workers' health certificates. This led to a dispute between shopkeepers and the health teams.

The activity ceased promptly after Saleem Parvez Butt, Central President of the Central Grocery Merchant Association, intervened and alerted the deputy commissioner. The association filed a complaint about the illegal inspections, arguing that the health teams were overstepping their bounds and disregarding the Deputy Commissioner's directives.

The district food authority clarified that the legal authority to collect samples and monitor health certificates rests with them, not the health department. Sources revealed that the situation has become complex due to vested interests within the health department.

The merchant association lodged a written complaint with Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema to resolve the issue. Shopkeepers have announced non-cooperation with health teams starting Tuesday, stating that they will not allow inspections of workers' health cards or provide any samples, including water samples.

This matter will be brought before the deputy commissioner again this week for further resolution.

In January this year, the Rawalpindi District Health Authority withdrew its notices requiring food, beverages, grocery shops, and bakers to get their workers’ medical tests done and provide water samples after a strong backlash from the Grocery Merchants Association.

Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema clarified that the Punjab Food Authority holds the authority to conduct medical tests and inspect water samples from shops. The district health officer is not empowered to take any action in this regard, rendering all previous proceedings null and void.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 22^nd, 2024.