K-P OPDs reopen on SC directives

Provincial health department to ensure precautionary measures

PESHAWAR: Following directives from the apex court, the provincial government on Wednesday ordered all medical teaching institutions and district headquarters hospitals to re-open their outpatient departments (OPDs).

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Health Minister Taimur Saleem Jhagra, in a statement on microblogging network Twitter on Wednesday, said that following directives from the Supreme Court (SC), the provincial health department has directed to re-open OPDs at all the district headquarters (DHQ) hospitals and medical teaching institutions (MTIs).

Jhagra reiterated that the closure of OPDs was a temporary move to ensure social distancing protocols for patients in the province and the medical professionals working at these facilities from the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).

The health department’s notification directed to restart the OPDs after taking all possible precautionary measures to protect the medical staff and the general public from contracting the virus.

Inquiry against Mardan doctor withdrawn

In a separate statement, the provincial health minister said that an explanation sought from Dr Ziaur Rehman of the Mardan DHQ hospital for speaking to the media about a shortage of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) there, has been withdrawn.

“Government will show compassion, the effort is not enough. I apologise for this notification calling for an explanation; it may be considered as withdrawn,” the minister stated.

Jhagra assured that measures are being taken to provide PPE to protect the healthcare community and other frontline workers.

However, the minister warned that shortage of PPE in some areas cannot be ruled out and that some of the frontline workers may contract the virus despite precautions. Regardless, he stated that the government remains committed to fighting for everyone and that they will do whatever it takes to protect them.

“At this point, the only thing that is important is for Dr Zia to rest and get better. Our thoughts and prayers are with him,” Jhagra said.

He said it was their responsibility to protect healthcare workers from the virus. While it may be difficult, it is a challenge they must embrace.

In a televised interview a few days ago, Dr Rehman had spoken about the shortage of PPE at the hospital. He was subsequently served a show-cause notice by the DHQ’s medical superintendent for allegedly breaking the rules.

A source privy to the development told The Express Tribune that the Mardan district health officer had also scolded Dr Rehman and warned him of disciplinary action if he failed to explain his position for speaking to the media about the lack of PPE in the DHQ.

On April 5, Dr Rehman’s swab samples were taken, which came back positive for Covid-19 the next day.

K-P seeks medical professionals

As the number of Covid-19 cases in the province soars past 500, the provincial government has appealed to healthcare professionals across the country to join the provincial government’s efforts of fighting the virus.

“Specialists, general cadre, nurses, psychologists, pharmacists, paramedics, and technicians from across the province and the country can apply to our LOCUM programme to help us fight against the coronavirus at http://locum.kp.gov.pk,” said the health minister.

Locum tenens is a Latin phrase that means to hold the place of or to substitute for.

With additional input from Shahabullah Yousafzai 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 9^th, 2020.