BMC’s Sachetak Strategy To Check Spread Of Coronavirus in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: Considering the fact that the possibility of the spread of coronavirus more in urban areas, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has hammered out different strategies and is implementing those in effective way, said Bhubaneswar COVID observer Anu Garg on Friday.

In her evening briefing to mediapersons, Garg said the BMC has formed a Sachetak committee in each of 60-70 wards and assigned tasks to it on coronavirus. Each committee consists of volunteers, mentors, doctors and prominent persons. A senior municipal officer is in charge of monitoring the works of these committees in five wards.

Garg said these members have been trained on symptoms of coronavirus and initial care necessary for the person. They have also been given the kits and thermal scanners. Besides, a whatsapp group has been formed in each ward for exchange of information.

Stating that a special strategy has been devised for vulnerable people of the society, Garg said they are identified from door-to-door survey, local committees, clubs and puja committees. Such persons are encouraged to download the Sachetak app which provides information on nearest doctors, necessary medicines, drug stores for home delivery and others.

The app has also the phone number of the caregiver of the vulnerable person’s family. Where there is no family of the persons, a Sachetak volunteer is attached to him to take care of him. Around 6,000 people have already downloaded the app.

Regarding the slum pockets in the city, Garg said an active surveillance has been maintained by a committee formed in each slum. Around 120 peer leaders have been identified to work as volunteers of these committees.

Their responsibility is to identify the symptomatic persons so that immediate help can reach them.

Stating that home quarantine is not allowed for residents of the slums since their houses are adjacent to each other, Garg said those who have got cured of COVID-19 are kept in a transit home in the area.