QUETTA: Three doctors and a technician working in isolation wards of different hospitals in Quetta have tested positive for coronavirus.

Health authorities confirmed on Sunday that a doctor working in Bolan Medical College Hospital Complex had been shifted to Sheikh Zayed hospital after his condition became serious.

The doctor quarantined himself at home after developing symptoms of the virus. “The doctor has been in quarantine for the last 12 days. His condition deteriorated last night (Saturday),” sources said.

According to the Young Doctors Association (YDA), two more doctors and a technician have also tested positive for the virus.

They have been admitted to Sheikh Zayed Hospital.

Dr Yasar Achakzai, who heads the Young Doctors Association, said the YDA had repeatedly called upon the government to take measures for the safety of doctors, nurses, technicians and paramedical staff working in quarantine centres and hospitals.

In Balochistan, 137 individuals have tested positive for coronavirus. All of them are under treatment at Sheikh Zayed Hospital.

“These patients tested positive after returning from Iran. Among them are traders and tourists,” a health official told Dawn. One patient had lost his life while two others, including a teenage girl, have been discharged from the ­hospital.

Praise for doctors

Balochistan police and Levies presented a guard of honour to doctors, paramedical staff and security forces at a ceremony on Sunday in appreciation of their work at quarantine centres and isolation wards.

The ceremony was organised at Sheikh Zayed and Fatima Jinnah ­hospitals.

“We salute doctors, paramedics, nurses and technicians for serving humanity by putting their lives at risk,” a police officer said.

Ceremonies were also held in different district headquarter hospitals.

Container hospitals

The Balochistan government has started work on establishing “container hospitals” and emergency relief centres on the directives of Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani.

According to an official of the health department, the container hospitals and emergency centres would be equipped with latest health facilities, including isolation wards and operation theatres, as well as accommodation for doctors and paramedical staff.

To begin with, over 1,500 containers will be placed at the disposal of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority.

Besides dealing with coronavirus cases, these facilities would be utilised in future for natural calamities like earthquakes and floods, an ­official said.

Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2020