KARACHI, Oct 27: About 45 earthquake survivors have been discharged from two government hospitals after treatment during the last week, medical circles said on Thursday.
About 110 patients with multiple injuries and limb fractures coming from various quake-hit areas on their own or under arrangements by some NGOs and health care organizations had been admitted to the JPMC and the Civil Hospital Karachi over the past two weeks.
According to JPMC Deputy Director Dr Seemin Jamali, about 40 patients had been discharged from this hospital after treatment while another 40 were under treatment. Four new cases have been brought to the JPMC on Thursday.
She said that till Thursday, 80 patients had received treatment for fractures, chest injuries, head injuries, and soft tissues injuries. The patients belonged to Balakot, Mansehra, Bagh, Saidpur, Kaladaka, Muzaffarabad, Tharian, Batagram and Batta.
At the CHK, 28 patients were referred out of which four were discharged after proper treatment. In addition to individual cases coming from the affected areas, a batch of 12 patients was brought to the CHK on Wednesday. The batch was airlifted to Karachi aboard a C-130 aircraft, along with 21 other patients, under an arrangement made jointly by the PAF, PMA and the Private Hospital Association.
According to CHK MS Dr Kaleem Butt, the newly-admitted patients who included some complicated cases were being attended on a priority basis. Different medical examinations and tests were conducted under the supervision of senior doctors.
A senior eye specialist at the CHK is providing treatment to a quake survivor who has already lost his one eye and is feared to lose his the eyesight completely.
Meanwhile, the Sindh Health Minister, Shabbir Ahmed Qaimkhani, on Thursday visited the Civil Hospital Karachi and inquired about the health and well-being of patients who has been shifted from quake-hit areas on Wednesday, add agencies.
About 32 patients including women and children mostly suffering from orthopaedic injuries and belonging to including Muzaffarabad, Shinkiari, Rawalakot areas were admitted to a special ward (OT complex) at the CHK.
The minister went to each bed and expressed sympathies with the injured.
He also distributed toffees and juices among the child patients and prayed for the early recovery of them all.
On the occasion, Mr Qaimkhani assured the injured of full support, saying the people of Sindh stood shoulder to shoulder with them, adding that all treatment expenses would be born by the government.
He said the Sindh Health Department had also made arrangements for providing free medical treatment to a total of 100 more quake-injured at the CHK at the government’s expense.
The minister also appealed to philanthropists for cooperation so that volunteer doctors could be sent to quake-hit areas, saying that a number of doctors had showed willingness to work voluntarily in quake-hit areas.