Govt set to install 49 ventilators in BMC hospital

Amid coronavirus outbreak, the hospital is operating without them

QUETTA: Amid outbreak of deadly contagion in the province, Balochistan health department set all arrangements to install 49 ventilators in Bolan Medical Complex (BMC) Hospital which was earlier operating without any functional ventilators, according to a statement issued by the hospital.

“Unfortunately, the biggest hospital of the province was working without ventilators. However, Chief Minister Jam Kamal took notice of the situation and health department is all set to install 49 ventilators in the hospital on priority basis,” said BMC Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Saleem Abro on Saturday, adding the facility would assist medical staff in treatment of acute cases of patients affected by coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

Out of the total number of ventilators, seven would be installed in Intensive Care Unit of the hospital while two would be portable and 40 others would be disposable ventilators.

Urging people to avoid panic in prevailing situation, the MS claimed the provincial health department was ready to handle emergency situation emerging out of coronavirus outbreak.

Balochistan Young Doctors Association on Sunday expressed concerns over positive coronavirus cases of four doctors performing duties in isolation ward of Sheikh Zayed Hospital Quetta, according to a statement issued.

Complaining of lack of protective equipment for doctors, YDA spokesperson Dr Rahim Babar said doctors and healthcare staff was working without safety kits, including disposable gloves and masks, risking their lives for the treatment of patients.

“Despite of four positive cases of doctors in the province, Balochistan government doesn’t provide safety kits to medical staff.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 30^th, 2020.