WANA: The authorities in the South Waziristan tribal district have started collecting data of the food items and the traders to whom these articles are being supplied to in order to check hoarding and profiteering.

Talking to mediapersons here on Saturday, deputy commissioner Hameedullah Khan said the information about the essential items supplied to the traders in Wana and other markets was gathered at the Khargai and Gardai entry points during the day. He said the data would be shared with the assistant commissioners concerned to prevent hoarding and profiteering and ensure availability of food supplies in the district.

He also said the district administration had set up seven quarantine centres for coronavirus patients with a capacity to accommodate 167 patients at a time.

The deputy commissioner said two isolation wards had been set up at the district headquarters hospital, Wana, and Sholam hospital. He said 45 doctors, 87 nursing staff, seven ambulances, six ventilators and 140 personal protective equipments had been made available at the facilities.

Mr Hameedullah said awareness sessions had been underway for last 10 days to ask people to observe cleanliness and social distancing.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2020