KARACHI: A joint delegation of Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) and doctors from different societies called on President Dr Arif Avi and urged him to step up the efforts to contain coronavirus.
The delegation comprised of Dr SM Qaisar Sajjad, Secretary General PMA Centre, Dr Qazi Wasiq, Treasurer PMA Centre, Dr. Sharif Hashmani, President PMA Karachi, Dr. S. Tipu Sultan, Ex. President PMA Centre, Dr. Abdul Bari Khan, CEO, The Indus Hospital, Dr. Saad Khalid Niaz, Dr. Azeemuddin, President PIMA, Dr. Asif Hafeez, Dr. Sohail Akhtar, Dr. Misbah ul Haq, Dr. Shamvil and Dr. Zafar Zaidi. The delegation was lead by Dr. S. M Qaisar Sajjad.
Dr Qaisar Sajjad briefed the President about the problems being faced by medical professionals during the pandemic of Coronavirus. He stressed upon the uninterrupted supply of PPEs to the healthcare providers. He requested the President to announce compensation package for eight deceased doctors who died as frontline warriors in war against coronavirus. Government has still not visited the aggrieved families. At this stage doctors should be encouraged; they need moral support both from public and government, he said.
There should be no deduction from the salaries of the doctors and announced risk allowance for doctors be implemented immediately, he said. He also requested that government should take immediately all the preventive measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus by forming a uniform policy. It is entirely the responsibility of the government to stop its spreading and as well manage the economic and social problems of the people. There were 250 deaths in USA in first 65 days while we have 367 deaths in the first 65 days, and this comparison is alarming, he said.
He asked that the government should initiate effective awareness campaign through electronic media for the public guidance to adopt preventative measures to keep themselves safe from the deadly virus.
Dr. Qiasar Sajjad also stressed upon the government to increase the testing capacity because so far we have only tested 182,000 people. There could be many people positive with coronavirus but they have not been tested and of course these people will definitely be the source of spread of virus. Until and unless we do not test them, they cannot be isolated, he said.
These people are high risk for the society. The burden of the disease will increase and thus it will increase the load of patients on health facilities, where health workers are already getting positive. In this situation there could be a shortage of health care providers. We already have dearth of ventilators, he said.
The doctors also suggested to activate network of community clinics, family physicians & registered general practitioners with proper PPEs & SOPs. It should promote home isolation, where possible with monitoring and reporting of data by registered general practitioners & community clinics.
Dr. Qaisar Sajjad informed that we do not get latest information from the government. He suggested that the PMA and other stakeholders should also be notified by the government.
In this meeting Dr. Abdul Bari Khan and Dr. Saad Khalid Niaz, informed the President about the coronavirus situation in Sindh and the testing capacity in the province.
Dr. Asif Hafeez, Dr. S. Tipu Sultan, Dr. Misbah ul Haq, Dr. Zafar Zaidi and Dr. Sohail Akhtar also participated in the discussion.
