This story is from July 19, 2020

Delhi: Norms on care units make RWAs confident

Residents’ Welfare Associations have welcomed the Centre’s guidelines giving them liberty to set up Covid care facilities in gated colonies in consultation
Delhi: Norms on care units make RWAs confident
GK-II RWA members taking details of the visitors, including domestic workers, at a camp held in their area recently
NEW DELHI: Residents’ Welfare Associations have welcomed the Centre’s guidelines giving them liberty to set up Covid care facilities in gated colonies in consultation with the local administration; work in association with the nearest health facilities; and look after availability of masks, pulse oximeters and regular screening of visitors, including house workers.

While many RWAs claimed they had already made most of these arrangements, they also said that they would now feel more confident as the system was formalised.
“This advisory has strengthened our efforts and uplifted the spirit to work dedicatedly. Unlike in the past when we had to face problems due to objections over screening of visitors and house workers, our efforts have been recognised now,” said Dr Ruby Makhija, secretary of Navjiwan Vihar RWA.
Makhija added that her RWA is working in close contact with the administration. “We have made an Excel sheet of residents willing to donate plasma. The information is shared with the Rotary bank and district administration when need arises. Two days back, one of our residents went to Shalimar Fortis to donate plasma. We have even arranged for the antigen tests with the help of SDM, Mehrauli,” she added.
RWAs said they are screening visitors for the safety of all.
“We started the exercise because residents were so fearful. We called meetings to make them aware about the infection. We even arranged for oximeters, cylinders, oxygen concentrators and other facilities when getting admission was a big challenge in the city. Now, things have normalised and infrastructure facilities are beefed up,” said Pankaj Aggarwal of Safdarjung RWA.

To make the RWAs even more enterprising, residents had earlier written to the LG and DMs regarding formation of a task force on a pilot basis in certain colonies, which would have local SDMs, recognised doctors, local police, volunteers and the RWA as its members.
The advisory issued by the ministry suggests RWAs and residential societies desirous of setting up a Covid care facility to go for it as per the detailed guidelines issued by the ministry of health and family welfare.
RWAs said the concept is good provided there is proper space and funds. Hardeep Singh Bhalla, president of Western Avenue Resident Welfare Association, Sainik Farms, said they are running two such Covid care facilities at Pushp Vihar Phase-III and Sainik Farms. The RWAs had earlier got the plan approved by the district administration, he added.
“Running such a facility needs 24x7 supervision. At Pushp Vihar, we opened the facility at a school provided by a local councillor in May.”
“We arranged for regular supply of food, alternative visit of private doctors, 24 hours attendants, RO system, coolers, oximeters, oxygen cylinders, steamer, towel, bedsheets, yoga sessions and other activities. We started with 25 patients and have 15 patients at present,” said Bhalla.
As per guidelines, adequate social distancing should also be maintained in common areas like parks. “The advisory will help RWAs deal with people who are not ready to follow norms,” said Sanjay Rana, president of GK-II RWA.
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