Contagious disease: Salman Rafique chairs meeting on Congo threat

Rich tributes paid to Dr Saghir, who died from Congo fever

LAHORE: Advisor to Chief Minister on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique presided over a meeting to review steps taken for dealing with Congo virus in Lodhran and Bahawalpur.

The meeting was held at the Civil Secretariat.

Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Secretary Najam Ahmed Shah, Primary and Secondary Health Secretary Ali Jan Khan, Livestock and Dairy Development Secretary Naseem Sadiq, Health Services Director General Dr Mukhtar Hussain Syed and World Health Organisation’s Dr Jamshaid were present. The Bahawalpur commissioner, Quaid-i-Azam Medical Collage Bahawalpur Principal Saqib Saeed and the Lodhran DCO participated in the meeting through video link.

The participants paid tribute to Dr Saghir Ahmad who had died of Congo virus. “Dr Saghir Ahmad has embraced martyrdom while performing his duties,” the participants said.

The Lodhran DCO said that family members of the infected doctors and nurses had been quarantined. “However, most of them were allowed to go home after they did not show any symptoms. A few people are still in quarantine. Samples of 52 relatives of Dr Saghir were collected and sent for examination. Their platelet counts are stable,” he said.

Bahawal Victoria Hospital MS

Bahawal Victoria Hospital Medical Superintendent Shahid Faraz said that tests of the doctors and nurses of the hospital’s surgical ward had been conducted. “None of them has been infected. Blood samples of other doctors of the hospital are being screened,” he said while talking to reporters late on Saturday.

He said one doctor and his son were being kept under surveillance. “They will be allowed to go home once there is improvement in their platelet count. Six more patients who are under observation will also be allowed to go home when their condition improves,” he said.

He said that one of the hospital’s operation theatres would remain closed after fumigation. “All other operation theatres are completely functional,” he said. He said that a medical team from the World Health Organisation had arrived at the hospital.

“Health experts have briefed doctors about the precautions to remain safe from Congo virus. The experts have completed their investigation regarding the deceased nurse who had been infected with the Congo virus,” he said. He said that the team had concluded that she had been infected with the virus from animals at her house.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 1^st, 2016.