Police hospital designated for mpox

Health Department bolsters measures across K-P

PESHAWAR:

In a significant move to curb the potential spread of Mpox, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Health Department has officially designated the Police Services Hospital as the primary facility for treating Mpox patients. This decision comes amid heightened vigilance and proactive measures to prevent the outbreak from escalating.

Health officials take charge

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Health Secretary Adil Shah, along with a team of senior health officials, conducted a thorough inspection of the health screening arrangements at Peshawar's Bacha Khan International Airport.

During his visit, Secretary Shah reviewed the setup of health screening desks designed to detect potential Mpox cases among incoming travelers. Mian Fayazuddin, the Border Health Services in-charge, provided the secretary with a comprehensive briefing on the current screening measures.

Following the briefing, Shah emphasised the need for rigorous screening procedures for all passengers arriving from foreign countries.

He instructed the health teams to leave no stone unturned in identifying and isolating potential carriers of the virus at the earliest opportunity.

To ensure an effective response, Shah ordered the deployment of additional medical personnel at the airport to address the current shortage of staff.

A team of seven doctors and eight technicians has been assigned to increase the capacity of the health screening desks and the isolation ward at the airport.

This step is part of a broader strategy to reinforce the province's readiness to handle any Mpox cases that may emerge.

The secretary's visit extended to the newly established isolation ward at Police Services Hospital, which has been specially designated for suspected Mpox patients. During the visit, Dr. Niaz, the Medical Superintendent (MS) of Police Services Hospital, provided a detailed overview of the arrangements in place to manage potential cases.

Meanwhile, Director Public Health Dr Irshad Roghani visited the home of an affected individual in the village of Manga Dargai, located in the Mardan district. He reported that the patient is currently in stable condition and is being quarantined at home. "We have taken all necessary details from the affected individual and have implemented quarantine measures at his residence," Dr Roghani stated.

He added that the local area is under constant monitoring, and every precaution is being taken to prevent the virus from spreading further. The director also mentioned that the community has been informed about the situation, and advised to follow preventive measures. He stressed the importance of public cooperation in controlling the spread of the virus.

Community concerns

In response to the detection of Mpox in their village, residents of Manga Dargai have expressed deep concern. Khast Gul, a local resident, shared his worries with The Express Tribune, saying, "Our village is in shock after this latest case of Mpox. This is the second time we have faced such a health crisis, as the first case of COVID-19 in this region also emerged from our area." He further noted that the affected family is experiencing significant trauma and is hesitant to interact with others due to the stigma associated with the virus.

Despite these challenges, people continue to visit the affected individual's home, raising fears that the virus could spread if proper precautions are not taken. Gul emphasised the need for timely intervention by authorities to prevent the situation from worsening.