BAJURA, APRIL 24
Authorities have started the process of purchasing a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machine after COVID-19 cases started surging in Bajura.
According to Bajura District Administration Office, the responsibility of buying the machine has been given to District Coordination Committee Chief Narendra Kumar Rokaya. Rokaya will be coordinating with all nine local levels to buy the PCR machine.
The District Crisis Management Committee meeting had decided to buy the machine.
Chief District Officer Gopal Adhikari said that they decided to buy the machine considering the problems people faced while going to other districts for COVID tests. He said that people had to pay more than the fixed price for the PCR test.
The people's representatives at Budhiganga, Badimalika, Tribeni Municipalities and Gaumul Rural Municipality said the money would be allotted from the local levels to buy the PCR machine.
Similarly, vice-chairs of Himali and Jagannath rural municipalities said that they would discuss the matter with the chairpersons of the rural municipalities and decide how they could help in buying the PCR machine.
CDO Adhikaari said that Rokaya would also coordinate with the chiefs of Swamikartik Khaper and Khaptadchhededaha rural municipalities and Budinanda municipality as they were absent at the meeting. Budiganga Municipality had offered Rs 20 lakh to buy the PCR machine last year. The machine could not be bought last year after some local levels showed reluctance to allocate budget for buying the PCR machine.
Similarly, health desks will be established at five different entry points of the district and the record of people entering the district through Dabazaar of Sanphe-Martadi road section, Khaptadchhedaha Rural Municipality's Chhaukhutte, Lofu of Jagannath Rural Municipality, Kawadi of Himali Rural Municipality and airport of Budhinanda Municipality will be maintained for contact tracing.
Decision was also taken to manage the isolation facility in all local levels.
Assistant Chief District Officer Samir Bhandari said all the local levels and stakeholders would be requested to implement the health safety guideline issued by the government to avoid the possible spread of COVID.
A version of this article appears in the print on April 25, 2021, of The Himalayan Times.
