HYDERABAD: Representatives of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Hyderabad chapter have said that the PMA is ready to offer its services to the government if the required facilities are provided to it.

Speaking at a press conference, PMA president Dr Agha Taj, former president Dr Rafiqul Hassan Khokhar, general secretary Dr Zaman Baloch, vice president Dr Inayatullah Memon and others said that the government was taking steps in haste and doctors and staff posted in the quarantine centre in Sukkur were not provided any facilities.

They added that doctors had not refused to perform duties, but the government was trying to make them work without facilities. They said the Sukkur quarantine centre lacked facilities. Appreciating efforts of the Sindh chief minister (CM) regarding coronavirus and for protection of people against it, they expressed the hope that the CM would take interest in the awareness campaign about coronavirus and other diseases.

They appealed to the CM to form a high-level advisory council immediately and its chapters should be established at the divisional level. They said PMA central president Dr Ikram Tunio, who is from Sindh, should be inducted in the council whereas district and divisional presidents in the district and divisional chapters.

They demanded of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to provide safety kits or funds to Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences so that consultants and professors could treat patients and also ensure their own safety. They said doctors were fighting coronavirus, but they did not have required facilities against the pandemic.

They said that kits should be provided to doctors in hospitals for treatment of patients. They said that if anyone was affected by coronavirus, the government of Sindh would be responsible for it. They also appealed to businessmen to extend their full cooperation to the PMA about provision of safety kits and masks.

They said that attendance on biometric system for doctors should be closed as it could help spread the virus. They said that filter outpatient departments (OPD) should be set up in all government hospitals.

Paramedics and non-paramedical staff posted in quarantine centres should be medically examined and those above 50 years of age or having some sort of illness like diabetes, hypertension, hepatitis, asthma and cardiac ailments should not be posted there.

They said that all such staff should be provided accommodation near quarantine centres with the provision of all required gear and kits.

They said that insurance of this staff as well as health risk allowance should be ensured. They said that identity cards should be issued for the staff members of the quarantine centres and no other person should be allowed access to the facilities.

Published in Dawn, March 20th, 2020