KARACHI:
Families of those injured in today’s Maskan Chowrangi blast complained of a private hospital refusing to treat the survivors without being paid the hospital fee in advance.
The family members claimed that the hospital, located near the site of the blast, pressured them to pay for all expenses in advance. This even led to several arguments between the hospital administration and the victims’ families.
Taking notice of the families’ complaints, after they were reported by the media, Sindh health secretary Dr Kazim Jatoi along with director health Karachi Dr Nadeem Sheikh reached the hospital.
Dr Jatoi clarified to the hospital administration that all medical expenses of the injured were being borne by the Sindh government, and there should not be any delay in their medical treatment.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Dr Sheikh claimed that the government was also closely monitoring the medical treatment of those injured in today’s blast.
The demand for fee was a clear violation of the Sindh Injured Persons Compulsory Medical Treatment Act 2019.
The act was passed by the Sindh Assembly after the court took notice of the August 13, 2018 tragic incident of a minor girl’s death in Karachi, who was denied treatment by a hospital after being hit by a bullet fired by a police officer.
Maskan blast
At least four people were killed and 30 others were injured on Wednesday in an explosion near Maskan Chowrangi - a locality in the Gulshan-e-Iqbal area of Karachi.
Security forces cordoned off the area and shifted the casualties to a local hospital. Seven of the injured were said to be in a critical condition.
According to rescue officials, the blast took place in a four-storey residential building and was heard in multiple areas of the port city. Cause of the explosion remains unknown as security officials continue investigating the incident.
Officials added that two floors of the building have been severely damaged and fear casualties may increase as they sift through the rubble.
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