Sindh to hire more doctors as COVID-19 cases spike

Sindh CM Syed Murad Ali Shah expresses worry over exponential rise in coronavirus cases

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, sounding alarm over the exponential rise in the number of COVID-19 cases, especially locally transmitted ones, ordered the recruitment of more doctors, nurses and other medical staff to deal with the crisis.

Later, he also ordered the purchase of incinerators for destroying the solid waste of COVID-19 patients who will be kept at the isolation facility being established at Expo Centre.

On Saturday, Sindh's tally of coronavirus patients rose exponentially, 60 of whom contracted the disease locally. Four new cases were reported in Karachi, along with 140 in the Sukkur isolation centre.

Discussing locally transmitted cases, the CM said, "It is something to be worried about."

"The cases are on the rise," he said, further elaborating, "The first case was reported on March 2, another 10 on March 9, and 25 more on March 19." This is a matter of great concern, he added, saying, "We will have to observe self-isolation, which is the only way to safeguard ourselves [against the virus]."

In light of these concerns, he ordered the health department to recruit 1,500 doctors and 500 technicians within the next three days, maintaining, "We are in dire need of doctors, nurses and technicians to run the newly established health facilities [for COVID-19 patients]."

With regards to preparation for the outbreak, the CM was told a 200-bed facility, housing seven ventilators and 23 intensive care units, had been established in Kharadar.

He was further informed that 2,366 nurses would be hired in the coming two days and of them, 300 would be posted at the isolation facility at Expo Centre and 690 in other districts of the province.

Preparatory arrangements

The CM also visited the Expo Centre on the day to review the arrangements for the 10,000-bed isolation facility, as well as the field hospital, to be established there.

Upon visiting the centre, he ordered Karachi commissioner to procure incinerators for destroying the solid waste of patients who would be housed at the facility. "This solid waste must not be transported anywhere in the city and must be destroyed here," he said.

Speaking of other arrangements, he suggested hiring 10 hotels to be converted in to quarantine facilities and said that the 6,000-room Labour Square near Northern Bypass would also be used for the purpose.

He further said that the health department had 827 ventilators at present and funds would be released for increasing the quantity to 5,000.

Moreover, the government planned to seeks the assistance of welfare organisations like Edhi and Saylani Welfare Organisation to help labourers, unemployed and daily-wage workers, he added.

Funds

The CM said that the Sindh government had released Rs11.63 billion for the prevention and control of coronavirus outbreak during the current fiscal year, adding that the amount included Rs3 billion that was to be contributed to by government employees.

Presenting a breakdown on the funds' distribution, the CM said that Rs3 billion was appropriated for Corona Fund, Rs300 million was given to the Indus Hospital, Rs100 million to the directorate of health, Rs50 million to the health department, Rs836 million to private partners, Rs6.9 billion was disbursed on account of special grants for coronavirus, Rs50 million was given to Malir DCS, Rs76 million to the Sukkur deputy commissioner (DC), Rs50 million to the Larkana DC and Rs250 million was given to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority. 

Published in The Express Tribune, March 22^nd, 2020.