Congo virus treatment: Health dept urged to release funds

PESHAWAR: Hospital administrations across the city have pressed the health department to provide funds for treatments of patients infected with Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF). According to an official at Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC), the hospital does not have adequate resources to cater to the needs of patients suffering from the virus. “The health department has not provided us with funds in this regard over the last three years,” he added. According to the HMC official, two hospital employees have contracted Congo fever from patients at the facility. “The employees include a nurse and a paramedic who had been on duty at the isolation ward,” he said. The official said hospital is facing countless challenges in dealing with Congo cases. At least 23 patients were suspected to have the virus at HMC between January 1 and October 6.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 9^th, 2015.