The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has expressed dismay over the rising cases of haemorrhagic fever in Karachi, where some 60 cases have been reported so far in different hospitals, including Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC), Civil Hospital and Agha Khan University Hospital (AKUH).
According to official statement issued here on Monday, 50 cases of haemorrhagic fever had been reported in AKUH till November 28, within three months period, of which five persons died, while 44 patients had been investigated and found one patient infected with 'Congo Fever' and Dangi virus in the other 10 patients.
The PMA also expressed concern over the diagnosis of types of virus in remaining 33 patients at AKUH.
"PMA has been indicating the problems of doctors, particularly junior doctors working in the government sector hospitals," the statement added.
It said that there was a lack of awareness about the prevention of infectious diseases among the doctors and no protective gears, including gloves, mask, caps, goggles are available at the facilities to prevent the infectious diseases, like haemorrhagic fever.
The PMA supporting the demands of house job doctors working at Civil Hospital Karachi request them to call off the strike for the sake of ill people.
PMA implored the Health department to accept the demands of house job doctors to save the lives of the exposed doctors, paramedics, medical students, health workers, patients and other attendants.
The statement also concerned for having no laboratory available in Karachi to diagnose the strains of all the types of virus with the exception of AKUH laboratory.
PMA has demanded of the government that at least higher, secondary and tertiary government hospitals should have quality laboratory facilities to diagnose all types of diseases caused by infectious organisms and viruses.
The PMA suggested that all governmental hospitals should form an Infection Control Committee/ Department headed by the senior microbiologist or infection control specialist.
The PMA urged the need to provide awareness to the general public about the haemorrhagic fever to clear the confusion and harassment, besides proper disposal of garbage and hospital waste should be implemented.
The Pakistan Medical Association has also informed general public that the cases of viral Rhinopharyngitis (fever, common cold, soar, throat, body ache, running nose etc) increased in the beginning of the winter season was not a serious problem and it could be controlled by taking proper diet, sleep and plenty of water.
They advised the people that if the symptoms of rhinopharyngitis with skin rashes, nausea vomiting and bleeding from the orifices (nose, throat, ear etc) appeared they should consult immediately with a physician.-PR