Health dept issues contingency plan for monsoon season

Hospitals directed to establish rain emergency units, acquire medicines to deal with patients

KARACHI: The health department in Karachi has issued a contingency plan for the upcoming monsoon season to all the government hospitals in the city.



According to Karachi Health Director Dr Muhammad Tofique, the directions have been issued in the wake of pre-monsoon season, which is going to start from June 20.

"Directions have been given to the hospitals to establish rain emergency units and acquire medicines that are necessary to deal with the increased flow of patients during the monsoon season," said Dr Tofique.

Along with rain emergency, trauma management is also included in the preparedness plan as road accidents, roof collapses and electrocutions usually increase during monsoons. Directions have also been given to the district health officers and town health officers to take emergency measures before the rains, ensure availability of medicines and appoint focal person in every district.



The hospitals that have received the directions include Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Civil Hospital, Karachi, Lyari General Hospital Karachi, Sindh General Hospital Liaquatabad, Sindh General Qatar Hospital, Sindh General Hospital, Orangi, Sindh General Hospital, New Karachi, Sindh General Hospital, Korangi, Sindh General Children Hospital, North Nazimabad, Sindh General Hospital, Saudabad and others.

Civil Hospital, Karachi Medical Superintendent Dr Tahir Aziz told The Express Tribune that during the monsoon season, all the leaves of doctors will be cancelled so that any emergency situation may be handled.