Despite Rs17b budget, no laboratory to diagnose viruses

KARACHI:  

Despite the allocation of Rs17 billion to the Sindh department of health, there is no laboratory in any government hospital in Karachi, to test and identify viruses. Each year, scores of cases of viral diseases such as Chikungunya, Dengue, and Congo are reported, which pose a major health threat to the public.

The Congo virus surfaces each year on the occasion of Eidul Azha as it is transmitted from animals to humans. Those affected by the virus have to send their samples to Islamabad and wait for days for the results. Meanwhile, other people who come in contact with them also become infected by this virus, resulting in an epidemic.

Another case of Congo virus reported in city

Health experts say that the majority of those affected are forced to approach private hospitals because the health department is not serious about resolving health problems. Experts also say that government has not established any diagnostic centre to verify Congo virus and the livestock department remains inactive as well. The animals in the market can be protected through preventive vaccines and the spread of various diseases can be avoided simply by properly disposing off the carcasses thrown on the roads.

Other unidentified viruses also attacking the people pose health hazards as they force doctors to start clinical treatment with fourth generation antibiotics, in the absence of proper diagnosis based on laboratory tests.