Edhi Foundation and PMA delegation meets Azra Pechuho

KARACHI: A delegation of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) and the Edhi Foundation met with the provincial Health Minister Sindh, Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, at her office to discuss the overall situation of Sindh after the spread of the coronavirus in the province.

The delegation comprised of Dr S M Qaisar Sajjad, Secretary-General, PMA Centre, Dr Qazi M Wasiq, Treasurer, PMA Centre, Dr Muhammad Sharif Hashmani, President, PMA Karachi, Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, General-Secretary, PMA Karachi, and Dr Faisal Edhi, Chairman, Edhi Foundation.

During the meeting, the members of the PMA discussed strategies that could be used to curtail the corona outbreak in the Sindh province. They expressed serious concerns over the protection of healthcare workers due to the extreme shortage of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) throughout the province. Healthcare workers and family physicians are the front line soldiers who need an urgent uninterrupted supply of Personal Protection Equipment.

Furthermore, the delegation stressed the expansion of corona testing facilities to remote areas of Sindh to identify the burden of the disease rapidly.

The PMA reiterated that Personal Protection Equipment should be provided to all the doctors, both who are treating corona patients as well as non-corona patients.

It is very unfortunate that the salaries of the doctors are being deducted. We demand that their salaries are not subjected to any deduction. Instead, risk allowance should be announced for doctors to boost their morale.

The PMA also requested law enforcement agencies to facilitate doctors and avoid misbehaving with them.

We also request other public service departments to facilitate the doctors on a priority basis after identification.

-MN Report