The 6-bed Isolation Ward established in Chandka Medical College Hospital (CMCH), Larkana, for quarantining coronavirus patients still lacks proper medical and testing facilities despite clear directions by the Sindh Health Minister.
According to credible sources nine suspected pilgrims came to the ward yesterday on their return from Iran but they complained that there were neither proper screening facilities nor security arrangements were made outside the ward. The suspected persons were examined by a doctor working in pulmonary department and were then allowed to go home. According to these sources five samples were sent to a private laboratory out of which three were detected negative and report of two other cases is expected in a day or two. The staff posted in the Ward have neither yet been provided required kit for their safety which they have to wear while on duty nor masks have been supplied to them. The people, included men and women, were asked to sit on the beds and they kept on waiting for test results. They were residents of village Chandio Khan Pitafi of Ratodero tehsil. These people were even not given required masks. Another person who also had returned from Iran four days ago reached at the ward from his village Mitho Dero was also sent back to his home without testing, sources further claimed. Even WHO recommended hand sensitizers have not yet been installed for the patients and staff to keep themselves safe. Red, yellow and green dust bins have also not yet been supplied to any CMCH Ward which are must as per WHO guidelines for infection control.
The Isolation Ward has been established in CMCH Casualty which always remains jam packed of patients and their attendants. The suspected Corona-virus cases have to cross all the emergency patients that are available in the Casualty putting all of them at risk of infection and at the end of the building Isolation Ward has been established for which experts have opined that the ward should be at one corner without any attachment of any other ward to prevent the viral disease from further spreading and infecting others.
According to Sindh Health Department, two new Corona-virus cases have been detected on Tuesday in Sindh, The first case is from Hyderabad and the patient arrived from Syria via Doha. The second case is from Karachi and the patient arrived from Iran via Dubai. The department is in the process of tracking all the contacts down for further testing. This has brought the total number of Corona-virus cases to 15 in Sindh out of which one has been cured and discharged, claimed the message sent to this Scribe on Tuesday evening by provincial Health Minister’s Media Coordinator.
Dr. Ershad Hussain Kazmi, CMCH Medical Superintendent, told this Scribe that Isolation Ward will be shifted from existing place to CMCH Teaching Block on Wednesday as per requirement of isolation.
He claimed that N95 masks are also available along with required kits for the staff. He said one patient has been brought on Tuesday who has been quarantined adding he is under observation.
