Congo virus: Government directs hospitals to set up isolation wards

Stresses upon precautionary measures to prevent the virus from spreading.

PESHAWAR: The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa health department issued directives to administrations of three teaching hospitals in the provincial capital to immediately establish isolation wards for Congo virus patients.

The directions were issued following the influx of virus carriers, seeking medical assistance at health facilities in the city. Most of these patients had arrived at Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC).

HMC administration had allocated four private rooms for treating patients suffering from Congo virus. However, since no precautionary measures had been taken, health officials feared the virus could spread and infect others, including medics who were treating these patients.

Other hospitals like Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH) and Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) also lack the facility. Secretary for Health Mushtaq Jadoon ordered managements of LRH, KTH and HMC to designate wards for Congo virus patients and adopt all required safety measures to prevent the virus from spreading.

20 suspected Congo virus carriers have been registered in the last seven months. Blood samples of 18 were obtained. Laboratory reports showed nine as positive; six of those have already died. Recently Moed Khan, a 16-year old Afghan national, died at HMC whereas Hidayat and Saeeda Bibi from Jalalabad, Afghanistan are still being provided medical assistance at the facility.

“Two people arrived from within the provincial capital to Hayatabad Medical Complex, whereas the rest were Afghan nationals,” a senior health official told The Express Tribune.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 3^rd, 2015.