PHOTO:REUTERS
KARACHI: Given the quickly rising variety of Covid-19 circumstances, the provincial authorities’s try to conduct door-to-door exams for the virus within the Karachi’s South district has nearly collapsed as officers are actually refusing to entertain new suspected sufferers, The Specific Tribune has learnt.
Sources aware about the matter mentioned round 25 well being division workers members deputed within the South district to take care of the coronavirus scenario have been examined constructive, subsequently, door-to-door testing has been quickly halted.
“My mother was showing symptoms of the virus, so we called the government’s coronavirus helpline numbers to avail the home-testing facility. However, we were told that the service has been suspended. They then asked us to visit Jinnah hospital,” a resident of Saddar city mentioned.
A senior official working for the South district well being workplace (DHO) mentioned that greater than 1,500 samples collected by the door-to-door testing service have been frozen as a result of two polymerase chain response (PCR) machines at a personal hospital have developed a fault.
“I can’t disclose the names of the said private hospital, but the machine was out of order for three days because of which we have been left with a huge backlog. At the moment, we are under immense pressure because the results of the tests conducted ten days ago are yet to be declared and people are repeatedly complaining against us,” the officer mentioned.
The South district, which included posh areas just like the cantonment and the Defence Housing Authority (DHA), has been declared a crimson zone for coronavirus circumstances.
‘Help the government save its life and the lives of others’
A politician, who selected to not be named, mentioned his relations have been exhibiting Covid-19 signs however when he known as the well being workplace, he was advised that the door-to-door testing system has been exhausted.
“They told us to visit a hospital or a laboratory for the purpose. But when we approached the Aga Khan Hospital, they said they are not conducting tests for Covid-19 either. Where should we go for testing now?” the politician questioned.
Per official statistics, the overall variety of Covid-19 constructive circumstances in Sindh stands at 41,303 as of the writing of this text, together with 696 deaths. In response to well being division figures, round 6,705 folks have to this point been examined constructive within the South district alone.
It’s not solely atypical residents who’ve been going through the problem, however the political elite shouldn’t be spared both. Final week, the Sindh Meeting organized coronavirus exams for its members however even after 9 days, the outcomes haven’t been launched. Talking on the problem, Sindh Meeting Secretary GM Farooq mentioned that his group has been contacting the South DHO for the outcomes of the exams for the previous week however there was no constructive response.
“We are now planning to rearrange the tests because we can’t wait for the results any longer,” he mentioned.
When approached, the South district well being officer refused to talk on this challenge, whereas Sindh well being minister Dr Azra Pechuho and the secretary of the division didn’t reply to calls. The spokesperson for the well being division, nevertheless, mentioned that some minor challenge has occurred because of the workload.
“With the sudden rise in cases along with deaths, many people have become paranoid and are rushing to get themselves tested. We receive hundreds of calls every day,” he mentioned. “If people are experiencing symptoms, they should go to the Jinnah Hospital and other nearby hospitals for the test.”
He mentioned that the provincial authorities, in collaboration with the Indus Hospital, has additionally launched a drive-through screening and testing facility for coronavirus on the Jehangir Kothari Parade in Clifton.
“It is a free-of-charge facility. People can call 021-9920-3012 to get an appointment and then visit the facility,” he added. “We are enhancing our capacity by establishing five more hospitals with test facilities,” he mentioned.
