गड्डाचौकीमा भीड
Kanchanpur, October 15:
Health screenings are currently underway for travelers returning home from India via the Gaddachauki border checkpoint to celebrate the Dashain and Tihar festivals.
To prevent the influx of infectious diseases during the festive rush, health desks established at the border are testing individuals for six major conditions: malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, COVID-19, dengue, and scrub typhus.
Siddharaj Bhatta, Public Health Officer at the Kanchanpur Health Office, noted that border health checks are designed to identify infections among returning citizens early, ensuring timely treatment and preventing community transmission. “If an infection is detected, patients are brought to the hospital for free treatment,” Bhatta stated, adding, “For travelers coming from afar, arrangements are coordinated with hospitals in their home districts.” Authorities conduct targeted screenings primarily for individuals arriving from high-risk regions in India—such as areas prone to malaria and dengue—or those presenting with fevers.
In the month of Ashoj alone, 4,700 individuals underwent health screenings at the Gaddachauki checkpoint. Thus far, infections have remained minimal, with only two positive cases of tuberculosis detected and no other transmissible illnesses found.
According to police statistics, approximately 2,000 people are currently entering Nepal through the Gaddachauki border daily. The surge follows a massive influx of Nepalese migrant workers returning from various Indian cities for the holidays.
To prioritize traveler convenience and security, the District Police Office in Kanchanpur has established citizen assistance booths at multiple locations across the district, including the border point. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Tek Bahadur Rawat stated that security surveillance has been significantly reinforced due to the heavy volume of returning citizens.
“We have set up passenger assistance booths at eight strategic locations, including the Gaddachauki border and Mahendranagar Bus Park,” Rawat said. “Security arrangements have been tightened to minimize criminal activities typically associated with the festive season.”
RSS/Unified Nepal
