Hospitals put on alert in twin cities

Circular notes that there is a danger of an exponential increase in novel coronavirus cases emerging after Eidul Azha

RAWALPINDI/ ISLAMABAD:

To deal with any emerging situation over Eidul Azha, hospitals in the federal capital were put on alert on Friday.

Managements of all government hospitals in the federal capital have directed their respective departments to remain alert and keep a stock of medicines and essential items.

The management of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) issued a notification for the alert on Friday. However, the notice said that the hospital will remain on alert not just for the next few days, but for two months, from July 20 to September 20.

The circular noted that there is a danger of an exponential increase in novel coronavirus (Covid-19) cases emerging after Eidul Azha and the first ten days of Muharram when there are large congregations.

In this regard, holidays of all staff have been suspended. Moreover, staff have been prohibited from holding any protests, rallies, or processions within the limits of the hospital for this time. It added that if any staffer is found involved in political activities, they will be considered as illegal acts and that the hospital management will take action accordingly. Further, Pims employees must ensure complete attendance during the high alert.

Meanwhile in Rawalpindi, with the number of Covid-19 cases on a downward trend, a provisional decision has been made to restore normal operations in the three allied government hospitals of the city after August 15, including the full resumption of outpatient departments (OPD) at the Holy Family Hospital (HFH), Benazir Bhutto General Hospital (BBH) and the District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ).

Preparations in this regard have begun. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, hospitals had all but closed their OPDs while operations were restricted to only one or two very urgent cases. Staff in the operation theatres of government hospitals would come and go without having any work.

However, the hospital management has now directed all staff to remain on alert.

In this regard, operating theatres are being cleaned.

BBH Medical Superintendent Dr Rafique said that the team of the operation theatre is ready to serve patients on short notice.

Moreover, wards of all government hospitals are also preparing to take in regular patients with after mid or at the end of August.

A final decision in this regard, however, is expected to be taken during a high-level meeting summoned for next week.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 1^st, 2020.