Health Dept launches mortuary van service

Initially the service is available with 25 vehicles, says Dr Pechuho

KARACHI:

The Sindh Health Department has inaugurated a free hearse service which will be available across the province. The service, which was launched by Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho at the DJ Sports Complex, will be operated by the Sindh Integrated Emergency and Health Services (SIEHS).

"There was social media propaganda about this vehicle in Thatta where it was being prepared," Dr Pechuho said while speaking at the launch ceremony where other officials from her department were also present. "We are starting this service because using ambulances for transporting dead bodies is always troublesome," she added.

The service is being launched with 25 hearses. Out of these, eight are for Karachi, five for other districts, including Hyderabad, while the remaining hearses will be at the district headquarters.

Dr Pechuho added that 330 ambulances would also be available soon. The 1122 hearse and ambulance service is free. It has been launched to facilitate people because they face difficulties in transporting their patients and dead bodies as the private service charge them arbitrarily.

The health minister also confirmed that some cases of the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in Sindh. She added that an advisory issued by her department on Monday night was a precautionary measure. Those with severe symptoms are hospitalised, while Rapid Response Centres have been set up on the highways.

Dr Pechuho also disclosed that she would conduct interviews of potential candidates for the post of Medical Superintendent of Civil Hospital to find the most suitable person.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 19^th, 2023.