ARGHAKHANCHI:  All three gun-shaped infrared thermometers (popularly known as a thermal gun) have been lying dysfunctional at Arghakhanchi District Hospital for the past four days, stoking fear and worries among the health workers.

The thermal guns were being used to measure the body temperatures of the patients and foreign returnees suspected to have contracted COVID-19.

Assistant Chief District Officer at Arghakhanchi Bishnuraj Belbase said since the thermal guns have gone out of order the health workers here are facing troubles in measuring temperatures in all places in the district.

The health workers were currently using the old thermometer to screen the temperature, according to Belbase.

“We have made requisition with a concerned agency in Kathmandu for the modern device. The devices ought to arrive in a day or two,” informed Dr Kapil Gautam, chief of the District Hospital.

Earlier, help desks were set up in various places across the district including Dohate at Sitganga 12 for measuring the body temperature of people.