PHOTO: EXPRESS
KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) sought on Friday the complete details of Hasnain's case from the provincial health department. A two-member bench comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Agha Faisal was hearing a plea pertaining to the campaign against stray dogs and the provision of anti-rabies vaccine (ARV).
Manora Cantonment Board, Karachi Cantonment Board, and Faisal Cantonment Board submitted their replies on the petition. Their replies stated that an operation against stray dogs is being carried out and the dogs are being vaccinated.
The court inquired whether dog-bite incidents are being controlled. In response, the representative of the Sindh government said that a dog vaccination campaign has been launched in collaboration with Indus Hospital. The provincial government's representative maintained that dog-bite incidents have significantly decreased.
The court took notice of the attack on Hasnain Bughio in Larkana. Six-year-old Hasnain was mauled by half a dozen dogs. He died during treatment at the National Institute of Child Health (NICH), where he was shifted due to the lack of medical facilities in Larkana. The court sought the complete details of the inquiry carried out for the incident, the initial medical aid provided and the overall treatment facilities provided to Hasnain from the Sindh health department.
Every hour, dogs bite 26 people in Sindh
Why is the situation this bad if 287 vaccines are available at hospitals in Karachi, asked Justice Mazhar. He inquired as to why there are reports of children dying due to the unavailability of vaccines. "We only receive news of unavailability of vaccines in Larkana. Why are vaccines unavailable there?" he questioned.
The health department's additional secretary maintained that Larkana hospital has 240 vaccines and proper treatment is given there. The court asked why the vaccine was not available for Hasnain at Chandka Medical College Hospital (CMCH), Larkana. The additional secretary stated before the court that this is just what the media reported. The facts differ from these [reports], he said.
The media reports what happens, remarked the court. The bench observed that the family would have told the media that their child was not being treated.
The court was told that a PC-1 plan has been prepared for vaccination of stray dogs. You are involved in making plans but the difficulties of people are not being addressed, observed the bench. "Whether you follow the Turkish model or any other, the issues of people should be solved. The process should be fast tracked," remarked Justice Mazhar.
The court directed that the approval for PC-1 by the Sindh chief minister and the cabinet should be taken soon and work should begin immediately. Immediate action is required to solve the problems faced by people, remarked Justice Mazhar.
The court granted the Sindh government an extension of 20 days for the approval of PC-1 and directed the provincial government to set up a complaint cell and a helpline for the convenience of citizens. The court also directed the provincial government and local government agencies to continue their operation against stray dogs and ensure the provision of vaccines in all hospitals.
Why don't people get the vaccines if 11,000 are available in Sindh, asked the bench. The court expressed annoyance at the agencies for not setting up a task force and directed them to form the task force immediately. Public interest work should not be delayed, remarked the bench while warning that the court would take action if its orders were not implemented immediately.
The court adjourned the hearing till January 14.
Subpar CNG kits
In a separate case, the bench directed the Sindh government to establish a transport authority and give the provincial transport department the authority to take action against substandard CNG kits in school vans and other vehicles.
Wild animals: Stray dogs, an untamed threat in K-P
The Sindh additional advocate-general maintained that the cabinet committee has decided to amend the motor vehicle ordinance and include the desired clauses in it. Laws are being made against the use of substandard CNG kits and the committee is looking at different aspects for legislation, he maintained.
The court directed the Sindh chief secretary to form terms of reference and a committee comprising the parties nominated in the petition within 10 days. The chief secretary was directed to send the committee's recommendations to the Sindh cabinet. The bench directed that the petitioners and the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) be included in the committee. The hearing was adjourned till January 28.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 21st, 2019.
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