COVID-19 facility at Karachi Expo Centre to begin operations from tomorrow

Over 900 doctors, nurses and paramedical staff deputed at the field hospital

KARACHI: The 1,150-bed field hospital facility established at Karachi's Expo Center will start admitting suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients from tomorrow (Monday), according to a notification issued by the Sindh Health Department on Sunday.

The provincial health authority has directed the heads of all government hospitals to refer positive coronavirus patients to the facility from April 6.

The health facility, which is equipped with all necessary equipment  including ventilators, will provide diagnostic, quarantine and treatment services.

The health department had issued a notification deploying over 900 doctors, nurses and paramedical staff at the field hospital and doctors from the army medical corps will also be deputed at the centre.

However, medical staff over the age of 50 years – falling in the group that is more vulnerable to the contagious virus – will reportedly not be serving at the facility.



The staff at the hospital will be working in three shifts, allowing the facility to operate round the clock. Furthermore, they will be provided boarding and dining facilities within the premises and will be required to stay in the special quarantine area for 15 days before leaving the facility, as a precautionary measure.

In addition, the staff will undergo daily medical checks, and their lodging spaces will be disinfected on a daily basis as well.

The staff performing their duties at the centre will also be awarded certificates of appreciation by the provincial health department.

The Expo Centre isolation facility was established by the Sindh government with the support of Pakistan Army.