Amid Rising COVID-19 Cases In Kashmir, Free Tests Conducted In Budgam District

Budgam: Amid the rising COVID-19 cases in Kashmir, coronavirus tests are being conducted in rural areas to combat the widespread infection. Under the orders of the Administration, the facility of a camp has been established in Sheikhpora village in Budgam district on Friday (September 18). “We have set up this camp so that people get can get tested for coronavirus. We are conducting these camps everywhere. We are also covering red zones. We want the people of Sheikhpora village to benefit from this facility as we are conducted these tests for free. They are even getting the results of tests instantly,” said Dr Shehla, the Nodal officer (Covid-19) from Sheikhpora, Budgam.

Also Read: Jammu And Kashmir Conducting 900 COVID-19 Tests Per Million Per Day: Union Home Secretary

We are conducting surveys and go from door to door to ask people to get themselves tested. We try to get as many as people as possible, she added.

People of Sheikhpora village are pleased with COVID-19 and are hoping that such a facility will be established throughout the region.

“COVID-19 camps like these make life easier for us. I think this is a great initiative. If you ask me, such camps should be made available everywhere. Especially, places where it is tough to reach a doctor,” said Yaseen Ahmad (villager). Another villager named Zahoor Malik said,

It is a very good set up. In places like hospitals, there are chances of getting infected from the disease (COVID-19). These camp on the other hand is a great step as we get the results very rapidly.

According to the Union Health Ministry, there are 20,239 active cases in the Union Territory.

Also Read: Testing For Coronavirus: Aggressive Rapid Antigen Testing Underway In Jammu

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.