LAKKI MARWAT: Representatives of traders’ bodies have assured of ensuring availability of sufficient food items in the local markets.

They gave the assurance during a meeting with additional assistant commissioner Aminullah Khan on Sunday. The meeting was convened by deputy commissioner Abdul Haseeb to devise a mechanism to check hoarding and ensure availability of foodstuffs at official rates.

“We have a one-week stock of food items available at our outlets,” said a trader, adding people won’t face any shortage of daily use commodities if supplies continued.

The traders’ representatives also assured to implement the official price list in letter and spirit.

The additional assistant commissioner asked the traders to avoid hoarding and ensure availability of food items in markets. He warned that traders involved in hoarding and profiteering would face stern action.

DISEASE SURVEILLANCE COMMITTEE: On the directives of the provincial government the district administration has formed district disease surveillance committee on coronavirus, said an official on Sunday.

He said the deputy commissioner would head the committee and district health officer and public health coordinator would be its secretary and focal person, respectively.

The officials of health, education, social and population welfare, communication and works, irrigation, local government, agriculture, livestock, police, municipal administration and other departments will be the committee’s members, the official said.

He said the committee would collect and analyse information regarding coronavirus and would share it with the provincial disease surveillance centre for assessment and further action.

“On the basis of information received from public sector and private health facilities and laboratories the district disease surveillance committee will make immediate arrangements for prevention and control of the disease,” the official said. He said the committee would also ensure provision of personal protection equipment and other supplies to deal with Covid-19 cases.

“The committee will arrange rapid response teams in the field for taking prompt measures to contain the cases,” the official said.

Published in Dawn, March 23rd, 2020