RWAs seek more powers in fight against Covid-19

NOIDA-GHAZIABAD: Even as the Centre is trying to define the role of Residents’ Welfare Associations (RWAs) in the fight against Covid-19 by issuing an advisory for housing complexes, some RWAs say there is little or no support from the administration in implementing and managing the rules as they are not being recognised.

They said that the administration only remembers them when required, but does not empower them with the requisite powers to ensure compliance of the rules.
The Union ministry of health and family welfare guidelines for RWAs include creating awareness about Covid-19, taking simple preventive measures, encouraging early reporting and informing community members about myths and stigma, among others.
The RWAs said that they are complying with all these but within their limitations.
Alok Singh, founder of Greater Noida-based Active Citizens Group, said,
“We are only remembered when needed otherwise are left to fend for ourselves. We should be given the powers. Also, regular training camps and sensitisation activities should be held so that they become an extended effort of the district administration.”
While Federation of Noida Residents’ Welfare Associations (FONRWA) said that they are complying will all the rules, the District Development Residents Welfare Association (DDRWA) said that while the RWAs are carrying out their duties, they get very little support from the administration.
DDRWA advisor Rajeev Kumar said, "Apart from making temperature check mandatory, RWAs have also prepared a list of patients with co-morbidity as mentioned in the guidelines, but whenever we apply any rules for the betterment of residents, administration doesn’t support us."
He added that when a positive case is found in a society or sector, RWAs struggle to get them medical facility and also get the area sanitised. "Also there is no contact tracing," he added.
Besides, ever since the state allowed home isolation for asymptomatic patients, many RWAs in Ghaziabad are allegedly not following government guidelines, in the absence of which, senior citizens are being inconvenienced.Vasundhara Sector 11 resident UB Garg, 70, and his wife tested positive and were admitted to Atlanta Hospital. But Garg was referred for home isolation. "We are an elderly couple and our children live abroad. Even though I am being referred for home isolation, I cannot stay alone. I want to be admitted to the same hospital where my wife is. There is nobody to take care of me at home," he said, adding that the RWA should at least provide a volunteer to assist him in his daily chores.
However, Alok Kumar of Fed AOA said that all RWAs are providing all the facilities as per government guidelines. "While, we haven’t received any complaint yet, there is still a lot of ambiguity around home isolation," he said.
Noida DM Suhas LY, meanwhile, said that all protocols for Covid-19 are being followed through their 24x7 control room and all concerns will be addressed.