Srinagar: After lending its high-end scientific laboratory equipments to Health Department to enhance testing facilities, deputing research scholars to SKIMS & GMC and raising NSS volunteers at various districts to assist the District administrations the University of Kashmir has moved a step further in its efforts to actively help Government and health agencies in the fight against COVID -19 by providing quarantine centers at various campuses of the Varsity. Government of J&K and health department had sought help of KU, to establish quarantine facility and accommodation for doctors and paramedic staff at various campuses of the University. Accordingly the University administration, on the directions of VC Prof Talat Ahmad, decided to provide two hostel blocks of Sheikh-ul- Alam hostel and an academic block located at Zakura Campus of the Varsity for the purpose whereas one hostel block at North Campus and an entire academic block and one hostel at South Campus of the University were kept at the disposal of the respective district administrations.

Acting swiftly, Registrar University of Kashmir, Dr Nisar A Mir issued necessary orders in this regard and constituted various committees at various campuses to coordinate with the various government agencies for establishing the quarantine centers. Prof Aejaz Mohammad Sheikh Provost Boys KU was asked to co-ordinate the activities/ resources for the purpose while as Dr. Javed was appointed as Nodal Officer for liaising with the government agencies. At North Campus Delina Baramulla Director North Campus Prof Naseer Iqbal is supervising and monitoring the arrangements while as at South Campus Anantnag Dr Aijaz Wani Director South Campus KU is coordinating with the District administration. According to an official statement issued here on Monday preparations at Zakura Campus started on March, 21st and within a weeks time the buildings were ready to serve as quarantine centres and accommodation facility for doctors and paramedical staff.

The first batch arrived at the Zakura campus on March 28th and till date 192 persons were quarantined at the centre while as 132 have been discharged after completing the quarantine period and sent to their homes or to other places as decided by the Government and Health Department. Vice Chancellor of the University Prof Talat Ahmad and Registrar KU Dr Nisar A Mir have been personally monitoring this Centre right from its establishment. Besides space University also provided all logistic support for smooth functioning of these centres. Around 24 Staff posted/ associated with University hostels, Engineering/ construction wing, Transport section, Proctorial wing, watch and ward have been religiously performing their duties round the clock at the Zakura Campus centre. While all the supplies are being maintained by the district administration, the University also chips in wherever required to meet the requirements of those quarantined here. The University staff and some student volunteers are helping in distribution of supplies among the quarantined. The University Health Centre has also provided medicine and other material like masks, gloves and sanitizers, etc on demand as and when required. A total of 302 beds have been kept available at the Zakura quarantine centre of the University. The Director South Campus, Dr. Aijaz Ahmad Wani, who is personally supervising all activities at South Campus for fighting Covid-19 group, informed that 200 face masks, sanitizers, hand gloves, 10 PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) kits were procured for distribution among ground staff.Two sanitization/fumigating machines and four Lizol/ Phenyl canes have been procured for fumigating the campus on daily basis and 2-3 fumigation drills have already been performed in the campus. One complete 3 storied Academic Block comprising of 7 big halls and 5 staff rooms has been handed over to District Administration after removing furniture form the said building.

KR Desk