PMA expresses concern over the increasing number of deaths due to coronavirus 

KARACHI: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) expressed grave concern over the increasing number of reported coronavirus patients and the rising death toll due to the ailment in Pakistan.

We are very disturbed over how our hospitals would manage the load of COVID Patients in the future. We have been observing management flaws in our hospitals. Patients with coronavirus are being refused admission despite the availability of beds and ventilators in hospitals. The death of Dr Furqan ul Haq is a recent example of such mismanagement.

The PMA has been receiving such complaints on a daily basis in which patients are reporting mistreatment and misguidance. We should learn from the death of Dr Furqan. No patient should suffer like him in the future, noted the PMA.

We will have to streamline the system of our corona designated hospitals and quarantine facilities all over Pakistan. A centralized network should be established between these health facilities. Ambulance services should also be included in the network as well so that ambulance drivers can take the patient to the required facility. No patient should be refused.

The government and hospital management are responsible for providing treatment to the patients.  The doctors performing duties in the emergency departments should not misguide patients. The Inquiry Committee has concluded that misjudgment on the part of the medical officer at the Civil Hospital was the cause of Dr Furqan’s death.

In case of unavailability of beds or ventilators, patients must be referred to some other hospital by the doctors on duty by approaching the central network.

The government has announced a relaxation in the lockdown from 9^th May 2020. Business and shops have been allowed to remain open from morning till 5:00 pm. The government has put the responsibility on the public to adopt preventive measures to remain safe from the coronavirus; otherwise the lockdown will be imposed again strictly.

After this announcement by the government, the PMA requested the people of Pakistan to play their due role in stopping the spread of the coronavirus and adopt all the required preventive measures which the PMA and other doctors have been stressing upon when the virus first broke out.

-MN Report