Opposition in the Sindh Assembly on Tuesday clamored over the mad dog biting incidents in the metropolis and expressed concerns against the shortage of anti-rabies vaccines at the government run hospitals. On the private members day, the opposition parties during questions and answers session raised their concerns over the rising incidents of mad dog biting the citizens, saying the stray animals are on the rampage. They also criticized the Sindh government for failing to control the dogs that continue threatening the public safety. PTI MPA Khurrum Sher Zaman Khan said 18 people became the victim of dog bite in one day in the city.
In reply to several questions and criticism, Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho said the government has about 16,000 anti-rabies vaccines at its hospitals at least at the districts level. She told that the Sindh Health Department is not a vaccine producer as the supplies to the provinces of such immunization is the responsibility of the federal government. She also tried to dispel the impression that the province is incapable to treat dog bite patients.
She said vaccines provision to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital is the responsibility of City's Mayor and not the Sindh Government. To a question, she said the department is keen to eradicate hepatitis A, B and C and dog bite diseases from the province, saying that a joint effort can solve the issue. However, on hepatitis disease, she told the house that only through screening the virus can only be identified.
Latter, the house adopted a joint resolution, which was tabled by PPP, PTI, MQM and GDA, to pay tribute to sufi saint Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai on his 276th Urs, as lawmakers called his poetry relevant to solve the present day crisis. TLP's Mufti Qasim Fakhri urged the nation to follow the footsteps of Shah Latif to develop. MQM's Muhammad Hussain called Shah Latif world's best poet with a teaching of peace, humanity and welfare. PPP's Heer Ismail Soho said Latif's poetry enshrined every aspect of the society from love and affection to epic tales.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2019