Sindh Health Minister, Dr Sikandar Mandhro ruled out a risk to human life from swine flu in the province, saying that no death from the virus has been reported. Replying to a call-attention notice during the Sindh Assembly session, he said that swine flu, medically called 'H1N1 virus', has no threat to the human life in the province. However, he said that the government is ready to meet any such emergency like situation with a complete preparedness.
He said that some 70 patients of swine flu were reported but none at the government hospitals. He said all the affected patients were treated at the Aga Khan Hospital. "Two deaths were being attributed to the swine flu but we visited each and every patient's home and inquired after their health. One female patient died of cancer whereas the other from unknown causes," he told the house held at the old Sindh Assembly building for one sitting.
The minister claimed that the government has vaccines to counteract swine flu. "The WHO says that the anti-viral medicines are ineffective to treat swine flu. This virus causes pneumonia and other complicated diseases," he said, adding that the government has set up a control room to meet the challenge on an immediate basis. "There is no immediate threat," he added.
Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah asked the assemblies of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Sindh to table a fresh resolution against the construction of any big dam without the approval of provinces. He said that the Sindh Assembly should adopt a resolution for resumption of water flow under Kotri Barrage.
He said that the NAB court has ordered closure of Rohri Canal that caused huge loss to the public. He also ruled out a suggestion to place rangers on canals to stop water theft. A study on Sukkur Barrage with the help of World Bank is under way, he told the house. He said that the stoppage of water flow under Kotri Barrage is causing damage to Sindh's coastal belt and Indus Delta. "This is a bigger issue than that of Kala Bagh Dam," he added.
The house also adopted 'The Code of Criminal Procedure (Sindh Amendment) Bill 2017 into law while postponed the consideration of 'The Sindh Institute of Traumatology Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation", Bill 2017.