No action so far for immediate closure of OPDs in vicinity

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Despite the directives issued by Sindh government to close OPDs at government and private hospitals and restrict the movement of inhabitants at Quaidabad after identifying nine COVID-19 cases, no action has so far been witnessed in the vicinity.

According to details, Ghulam Murtaza Baloch, Sindh Minister for Human Settlements and Special Development directed the immediate closure of OPDs at government and private hospitals in the adjoining area, including Quaidabad as nine Corona positive patients had surfaced in Quaidabad Gulistan Society.

He confirmed that nine residents of Quaidabad Gulistan Society, who tested COVID-19 positive, have been shifted to Malir Isolation Center where all possible facilities are being provided.

Presiding over a meeting at his office, which was attended by Deputy Commissioner Malir Shehzad Fazal Abbasi, DHO Malir Dr Ahmed Ali Memon, officials of the respective departments, National Assembly Members Sardar Jam Abdul Karim Jokhio and Syed Agha Rafiullah, Sindh Assembly Member Mahmood Alam Jamote and Chairman Salman Abdullah District Council, he directed the immediate closure of OPDs at government and private hospitals in the adjoining area, including Quaidabad as nine Corona positive patients had surfaced in Quaidabad Gulistan Society.

He said that nine COVID-19 cases were detected in District Malir at Quaidabad Gulistan Society and these patients were transferred to the Malir Isolation Center.

Later, DHO Malir on the directives of the provincial minister issued a notification for closure of OPDs in Quaidabad areas from April 6 except emergencies.

However, no action has been witnessed in the vicinity so far where not only hospitals but markets and shops at inner lane were seen opened and personnel from law enforcement agencies were not deployed to restrict the movement of the inhabitants till filing of this report.