KARACHI: The medical and health services department of Karachi Metro­poli­tan Corporation (KMC) has declared high alert in all its medical institutions/ hospitals during Muharram to deal with any medical emergency.

The KMC has declared high alert from 1st to 13th of Muharram, particularly from 8th to 10th Muharram, on dir­e­ctives of the mayor of Kar­achi; all leave of medical staff will be cancelled, said senior director KMC health & medical services Dr Birbal Genani.

The heads and medical superintendents of health facilities have been directed to submit contingency plans of deployment of their doctors and paramedical staff with their mobile phone numbers. All kinds of leave are cancelled immediately. No application for casual leave will be considered till further orders.

The heads of health facilities have been directed to ensure availability of doctors, medical staff and medicines during Muharram.

The focal persons working on previous emergencies will act as focal persons on Muharram in their respective hospitals. However, Dr Nadeem Asif, director medical services, KMC, will be the focal person for medical & health, KMC.

Strict compliance should be made and action will be taken against defaulters as per the rules.

Rescue 1122 ambulances will be on emergency duty (from 8am to 10pm) from 8th to 10th Muharram.

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2018