SMC COVID-19 warriors fumigate hospitals, homes to keep people safe

By: Afaq Bhat

Srinagar:  Sanitization teams constituted by Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) are working hard to keep the COVID-19 hospitals clean and also are fumigating the homes of the positive patients.

The sanitization team of Humamha ward no. 33 comprising Riyaz Ahmed, sanitary inspector, Farooq Ahmed sanitary supervisor, Mohammad Shafi, Abdul Hamid, Imtiyaz Ahmad Sheikh, Muhammad Amin Sheikh, Jan Mohammad and others during the past one and a half year has fumigated thousands of houses of the COVID-19 patients.

Sanitation Inspector Riyaz Ahmed while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “When the first wave of COVID-19 hit J&K we were a bit scared but during the past one and a half year the pandemic has taught us many lessons. We do visit the homes of people and fumigate them. We don’t fear the virus anymore but ensure that we take all the precautions.”

He said that the teams formed by the SMC also work in hospitals and other Covid care centers. “Our teams have been fighting the COVID-19 from day one. Besides permanent employees our group consists of the daily rated workers who are paid just Rs 6750 monthly. If they miss any of the working days their wages for that day are deducted. The government should think about these workers. They need some special allowances as they work very hard,” Ahmed added.

Sanitary supervisor, Farooq Ahmed said, “Our teams have given their best during these testing times. Besides carrying out the fumigation of the homes we have carried out mass sanitization drives in many areas.”

He said, “The role of the SMC employees is not only confined to sanitization drives. They have to collect garbage and have to keep the city clean. We have stood with the people during all these times and will be with them till we defeat the virus and life returns to normal.”

Farooq said, “The pestilence has created fear among the people. The sanitation drives, garbage collection and other works carried out by the SMC make people believe that they have not been left in lurch and the administration is with them.”

The sanitary supervisor said, “If people want to save themselves from COVID-19 they will have to keep their homes and shelters clean as the cleanliness holds the key. People need to ensure that the environment around them is clean and they keep their dwellings tidy.”

He said that the COVID-19 has taught us many things and we should learn from it. “We are trying our best and people too need to take precautions to keep themselves safe,” he added.

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