Experts express concern over the poor condition of healthcare workers

KARACHI: Health and legal experts expressed grave concern over the existing conditions of healthcare workers and the coronavirus situation in Pakistan.

These views expressed by representatives of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA), Young Doctors Association Sindh, Young Nursing Federation, Midwifery Association, Sindh High Court Bar Association, Karachi Bar Association, and the College of Family Medicine Pakistan, while addressing a joint press conference.

They strongly suggested that ventilators should not be a priority of the NDMA’s purchase order. Resources should be used for ensuring the provision of effective PPEs for healthcare workers and expanding coronavirus screening and testing facilities to the district level as soon as possible.

They further suggested to develop strict coronavirus screening facilities at the entrance of the quarantine and isolation centers and functioning corona designated hospitals. They suggested activating the network of community clinics, family physicians, and registered general practitioners with proper PPEs and SOPs. They recommended timely data monitoring and reporting by registered general practitioners and community clinics.

Experts said that specialty clinics and hospital OPDs should continue with emergency services only. They should be provided with PPEs and SOPs. Additionally, coronavirus patients should be tracked with the help of mobile tracking so that their specific area can be targeted and locked down, they added.

-MN Report