Daily Times

A video conference was held under the chairmanship of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Friday to discuss coronavirus preventive measures taken by the district administration after the emerging of seven positive cases. The meeting was attended by MPA Faryal Talpur, District Council Chairman Khan Muhammad Sangroo, provincial minister Suhail Anwar Siyal, Commissioner Saleem Raza Khuhro, DIGP Irfan Baloch, deputy commissioner Muhammad Nauman Siddique, SSP Masood Bangash, Jamil Soomro, I/C District Health Officer Dr. Athar Shah, Mayor Khair Muhammad Shaikh, Chandka Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Ershad Hussain Kazmi and doctors of PPHI and IHS.

Bilawal was briefed about the available healthcare facilities in Larkana. He was told that four quarantine centres have been established in Larkana. The district administration told him that 83 persons have been isolated in one of the centres established at Areeja Campus of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Medical University out of which seven have been detected COROVID positive today (Friday) as per their reports. They further informed him that over 700 people arrived here from Iran and other gulf states and their tests had already been conducted. Jamil Soomro told him that it will be ensured that during wheat harvesting a distance is maintained between the peasants along with social distancing. He added worst affected are those who were completely relying on income of local transport which has been stopped due to imposition of lockdown.

Bilawal directed the administrative officers to ensure that poor farmers are supported in this time of need and special care be also taken of HIV positive cases. He further directed that attitude of cops with the people should also be improved during lockdown and they should refrain from wrongly using their powers. Faryal Talpur on the occasion said that we will have to evolve a concrete system so that no body is left hungry throughout the district. Bilawal assured the Larkanians that PPP will not leave them alone and we will continue to support them. He said that it must also be ensured that distribution of ration is justifiably made among those deserving people who have been rendered jobless and are facing poverty. He said philanthropists will have to come forward as government cannot do anything alone. Chairman Bilawal said required results will only be possible when proper lockdown is enforced to save people from infection of this viral disease.

On the other hand, 130 more pilgrims are expected to reach here from Iran today (Saturday) for which arrangements have been finalized. They will be kept at the hostel of Quaid-e-Awam Engineering University Campus located near PTS where another quarantine centre has been established.

CMCH MS Dr. Ershad Kazmi told this Scribe that Bilawal asked me about the availability of ventilators and conducting of laboratory tests of viral diseases in CMCH. Dr. Kazmi said he was informed that only eight ventilators are available in CMCH and about 40 are required. Dr. Kazmi said he further informed the chairman that we have Basic Safety Level-II labs test facilities where only hepatitis and HIV tests are conducted but not BSL-I level facility which is available in Karachi for testing flu and other viral diseases. He said Multi-Parameter Monitors have been agreed by health secretary which soon will also be supplied.