PDP urges Sindh government to step up monkeypox response

KARACHI: Pasban Democratic Party Karachi Chief Organiser Tariq Chandiwala has voiced concern over what he described as a sharp increase in monkeypox cases in Karachi and other parts of Sindh, saying the situation has become serious and requires immediate action.

In a statement, Chandiwala said the rise in cases had reached a critical stage and called on the Sindh government to adopt urgent, practical and effective steps to stop the disease from spreading further.

He said the provincial authorities should immediately expand hospital capacity to deal with the situation. He also called for the creation of isolation wards, better training for medical personnel and broader access to testing so that cases can be identified at an early stage.

Chandiwala stressed that precautionary measures should be strictly implemented in public places as part of efforts to contain the outbreak. He also urged the government to begin a wide-ranging public awareness drive so that people can take steps to protect themselves and their families.

Call for preventive measures

According to Chandiwala, the response must include both healthcare preparedness and public information. He said increasing facilities in hospitals and ensuring early diagnosis through testing were necessary to prevent the situation from worsening.

He further said that medical staff should receive proper training to handle suspected and confirmed cases, while isolation arrangements should be put in place to reduce the risk of transmission.

The PDP leader also underlined the importance of preventive action in crowded and public settings. He said strict enforcement of precautionary steps, along with a comprehensive awareness campaign, was needed to help citizens understand how to safeguard themselves and their families. He warned that the situation has reached a critical level, demanding immediate attention.

Chandiwala’s remarks focused on Karachi and the rest of Sindh, where he said the increase in monkeypox cases was alarming. He urged the Sindh government to respond without delay and to put in place measures aimed at controlling the spread of the disease.

His demands included immediate enhancement of hospital facilities, establishment of isolation wards, proper training of healthcare workers, wider testing access for early diagnosis, strict implementation of precautionary measures in public places and the launch of a comprehensive awareness campaign.