Quetta:Government of Balochistan has constituted a committee for implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Testing Strategy for “Educational Institutions”.
A notification issued by Government of Balochistan, Health Department says, “With the prior approval of the Competent Authority, Government of Balochistan, Health Department is pleased to constitute the following committee for implementation of SOPs and Testing Strategy for Education Institutions”:
(i) Deputy Commissioner, Chairman (ii) District Health Officer, Member (iii) District Education Officer, Member.” It further says, TORs; (1) The District Education Officers/ Education Institute’s Heads (Principal/ Headmaster) are responsible to facilitate all COVID-19 Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) for screening and sampling at education institutes, maintain and submit the data on daily basis with Committee for further submitting to COVID-19 operation cell, Health Department (2) The D.H.Os have to notify RRT teams for Schools/Colleges/ Educational Institutes for taking samples and fill the proforma of symptomatic/ suspected individuals as per criteria (5 percent of students, 5-10 percent of teachers and administrative staff of each institution).
At least 100 samples/ per day to be conducted and to be dispatched / transported to PHRL, Quetta. The results of these tested samples will be available on CMDU website within 24-36 hours. Login and password have already been shared with all districts (3) The District Education Officer will ensure SOPs and adequate manpower at all Schools / Colleges/ Educational Institutes for maintaining discipline (to ensure observance to distancing norms, face mask and other preventive measures at all times) during the classes. (4) Deputy Commissioners of the Districts are over all responsible for implementation of SOPs and testing strategy for Education Institutions).”