Health officials asked to meet Covid sample collection target

Patiala, September 5

As spread of false information about Covid-19 related deaths and treatment at health facilities is affecting timely check-up and proper treatment of many, the pressure to complete the task now weighs on the shoulders of health workers.

Health workers have been directed to collect more samples as their number is short of daily target. Health workers on the other hand have been facing protests from residents due to spread of misinformation about virus.

Officials at the Civil Surgeon’ s office have asked senior medical officers and in-charge of community health centres (CHCs) and primary health centres (PHCs) to find new ways of completing daily sampling targets.

“Names of employees, who fail to adhere to directions, should be sent to their respective departments, so that action could be taken against them under the Epidemic and Disaster Management Act,” they added. “Many health workers have shown reluctance to work,” they said.

Meanwhile, health officials have also cited problems at outreach camps. A senior medical officer at the CHC, Model Town, wrote to the SDM’s office about sector magistrate sent by the district administration, who failed to actively participate in outreach camps.

Although the Municipal Corporation (MC) and the police were informed regarding the matter in advance, the count of people, who reach camps, remains low.

Health workers in Patiala have been asked to collect minimum 3,200 samples daily throughout the district.

Civil Surgeon Dr Harish Malhotra said, “We are in the field. All help is being provided by the district administration. Instructions have been given to ensure proper work for the benefit of people as the daily target is not being achieved.”

The Patiala SDM, Charanjit Singh, when contacted said, “We are receiving daily reports from SMOs. Deputy Commissioner visited camps today. All possible facilities are being provided to people at health centres. The only way for ensuring people’s participation is through the spread of proper information, which is being done through various means.” — TNS

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