Experts discourage CM from easing off lockdown

KARACHI: Experts, including leading doctors of the country as well as the owners of private hospitals and, have urged Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah to extend the lockdown after April 14; otherwise, the spread of the coronavirus would exceed control.

This was discussed during a meeting that Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah held with the owners/CEOs and prominent doctors of the country at the CM House. The meeting was attended by Dr Abdul Bari, CEO, Indus Hospital, Rehan Baloch, EOC, Coordinator, Dr Asim Hussain of the Ziauddin Hospital, Dr Syed Junaid Shah of the A.O Clinic, Dr Saadia Virk of South City Hospital, Dr Umer Jang of NMC, Dr Bilal Faiz, CEO, Creek General Hospital, Dr Farhan Essa Abdullah, CEO, Essa Laboratory, Dr Tahir Yousuf of Tahir Medical Center,  Manhaj Qudwai, CEO, Health Care Commission, Jawad Amin Khan, Commissioner, SHCC, Dr Ali Imam of Imam Clinic, Ali Farhan of Darul Sehat, Dr Salman Fareedi of LNH, Zerkais Ankleseria of Ankle Saria Hospital, Brig Dr Waqar of Memon Medical Institute, Dr Mazhar Nizam of Patel Hospital, Commodore Kamran Khan, AKU, and Dr Sadiq Ansari, and others.

The Chief Minister told the participants of the meeting that he wanted their support, cooperation, and guidance to fight against the coronavirus. All the doctors lauded the efforts and prompt action of the Chief Minister and said had he not taken timely measures; the situation would have been out of control.

They suggested the Chief Minister not to ease off lockdown. If the lockdown is withdrawn or eased off, the virus will spread like fire in the jungle, they said, adding, “A large population of the city constitutes of those who live in slums - they live in small houses with large families and travel in buses in crowds.” Such conditions would spread the virus in different localities extensively.

The Chief Minister said that he would consult with his cabinet and other stakeholders on the issue.

All the CEOs and owners of private hospitals assured the Chief Minister that they would provide him with the necessary equipment, manpower, and technical and expert support whenever the provincial government needed their help.

The Chief Minister formed a committee headed by the Health Minister, Dr Azra Pechuho, with Dr Asim, Dr Sadia, and various others on board to work out a plan with the necessary arrangements to tackle the situation.

-MN Report