Mumbai: RSS workers join BMC's efforts to screen people in slums for COVID-19

In charge of managing India's hardest Coronavirus-hit city of Mumbai,  Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is getting stretched to its extreme in its efforts to combat deadly epidemic. In process, doctors, nurses, and paramedic staffs are posed with a high risk of getting infected with COVID-19 mselves as well as ir families. However, considering ir job as a duty, healthcare teams are working relentlessly. 

On May 16, BMC decided to screen and separate infected people in slums of Nehru Nagar Basti (hotspot) on premises of Andheri West. To lend a helping hand, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Niraamay Foundation came forward to kickstart humongous and life-risking task of mass screening. RSS workers have been active in reaching out to needy with essential items throughout outbreak.

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Screening exercise

rms related to social distancing were observed and RSS workers were trained by expert doctors of various leading hospitals on use of PPE, infrared rmometers, etc. In midst of heat and humidity, it becomes quite uncomfortable for BMC doctors and Swayamsevaks to screen individuals. However, without boring much about external factors BMC doctors along with first batch of 34 Swayamsevaks, under astute observation of BMC doctors, conducted door-to-door screening successfully. Till w more than 3,500 persons have been screened till w.

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In mass screening, RSS workers took responsibility of separating people who showed symptoms of COVID-19 from slums while doctors of civic body were tasked to send se people for furr tests. Many swayamsevaks are willing to be part of team however, teams were made to participate in phases. y are all physically checked by doctors and only n are allowed to be part of team on ground.

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One Week for Nation

Sanjay Nagarkar, Secretariat of RSS's Mumbai unit, said, "This seva work of Sangh is just a helping hand to government functionaries to make Mumbai city corona free! We have w circulated a google form amongst our various network appealing our swayamsevaks to give 'One Week for Nation'."

He furr said that RSS workers from group of 20 - 45 can fill in ir details and send m and will be accommodated in next phase in various or Red Zones.

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Mumbai's COVID-19 tally surged to 22,563 after 1,411 vel coronavirus cases were detected on Tuesday, May 19. With 600 patients discharged in day, number of recovered in Mumbai rose to 6,116. On or hand, 43 deaths were reported on Tuesday propelling city's death toll to 800. 32 of deceased individuals had co-morbidities.