SAHIWAL: Pakpattan health authorities have temporarily closed down the state-run One Window Tuberculosis (TB) Clinic there after the visit of a suspected Covid-19 patient, without making alternative arrangements for around 500 TB patients registered for free medicines.

The authorities have also asked the eight employees, including three women, to quarantine themselves in their houses for 14 days.

As per official sources, Pakistan Baitul Maal Deputy Director Masrror Ahmad, a resident of Pakpattan, had visited the clinic situated on the premises of the Pakpattan district headquarters hospital for chest examination a couple of days back.

He was examined by the clinic head Dr Abbass and on showing Covid-19 symptoms, he was referred to the DHQ hospital’s Corona Desk.

Mr Ahmad was then examined by duty doctor Arslan Ali who immediately admitted him to the DHQ hospital’s isolation ward where his samples were taken and sent for lab tests. The report is awaited.

Following the episode, the local health authorities sealed the clinic abruptly and sent all its staff including the head Dr Abbas to home quarantine for 14 days.

The sources said the abrupt closure of the clinic would deprive some 500 TB patients registered there under DOTS programme of the free medicines that would adversely affect their health. They regretted that no alternative arrangements were made for these patients before closure of the clinic visited by 30-40 patients for free medication and checkup from far-flung areas.

A source said the clinic staff had not been provided with any personal protective equipment like masks, gloves, sanitisers etc, by the health authorities.

Pakpattan Chief Executive Officer (Health), Dr Ather did not respond to calls made by this scribe for his version.

Published in Dawn, April 20th, 2020