KOHAT – The provincial government and district administrations have directed barbers to undergo medical screening for HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis (TB) and other communicable diseases and keep their test reports or relevant certificates available for inspection as part of an initiative aimed at preventing the spread of infectious diseases.
The initiative is being implemented on the directives of the provincial government and Director General Industries and Commerce (DG I&C), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in coordination with the district administrations of Kohat, Peshawar and other districts, with a focus on improving hygiene standards at barber shops and promoting safe practices for customers.
Officials, along with Additional Assistant Commissioners (AACs), conducted joint visits to various barber shops in different districts. During the visits, members of the barber community were briefed about preventive measures against communicable diseases and directed to undergo the prescribed medical tests.
The barbers were advised to retain their medical test reports or relevant certificates and produce them before the authorities whenever required.
Officials also informed the barbers about a three-day free medical testing camp at Molvi Jee Hospital, Peshawar, where they could avail themselves of testing facilities.
The testing process was streamlined in coordination with relevant stakeholders, while pamphlets containing standard operating procedures (SOPs), hygiene guidelines and preventive measures were distributed among barbers to raise awareness about the prevention and control of communicable diseases.
The officials stressed the importance of maintaining proper hygiene at barber shops, particularly the cleaning and disinfection of razors, scissors, combs and other instruments used on customers.
They said barbers routinely handled sharp instruments that could accidentally come into contact with blood or bodily fluids, making proper sterilisation and disinfection essential to minimise the risk of disease transmission.
The officials explained that even minor cuts or abrasions to the scalp during shaving, trimming or hair cutting could result in exposure to blood. They therefore urged barbers to adopt appropriate precautions and ensure that instruments were properly cleaned and disinfected before being used on another customer.
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They further emphasised that inadequate hygiene practices and improper disinfection of reusable instruments could increase the risk of transmission of blood-borne infections.
The authorities directed barbers to strictly comply with the prescribed health and safety measures and give priority to the wellbeing of their customers.
Officials said monitoring and inspection of barber shops would continue in different areas to ensure compliance with the government’s instructions and strengthen measures for the prevention of communicable diseases.
The administration warned that failure to undergo the required medical tests, produce relevant certificates or comply with prescribed hygiene and preventive measures could result in action under the applicable rules and regulations.
The authorities appealed to the barber community to cooperate with the administration, follow the prescribed SOPs and play their role in providing a safe and hygienic environment to the public.
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