‘Karachi hospitals need advanced security equipment’

Public sector hospitals of Karachi urgently need to review their security arrangements in collaboration with law enforcement agencies to protect lives of doctors, paramedics, nurses as well as general public from terrorist attacks, by deployment of trained security officials and induction of advanced security equipment.

Pakistan Medical Association (Centre) Secretary General Dr SM Qaisar Sajjad, while talking to PPI, said security of major government hospitals like Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Civil Hospital Karachi, National Institute of Child Health, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases and others should be enhanced on modern lines with a permanent deployment of trained security guards, police, Rangers and other law enforcement agencies officials.

He said monitoring rooms, closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, walk-through gates, metal detectors, vehicle scanners and other security instruments were needed to maintain foolproof security of hospitals round-the-clock.

Dr Qaisar Sajjad said although screening of vehicles and visitors was not an easy task for security guards and law enforcement agencies but saving precious lives of doctors, nurses, paramedics and citizens is more important than any other thing. He said better coordination between law enforcement agencies and hospitals administration is also needed to counter to any untoward situation.

However, the security Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center and National Institute of Child Health has been increased by deployment of extra police and Rangers personnel on an intelligence advisory regarding a possible terror attack on these healthcare facilities.

Sources said that LEAS in a letter had stated that terrorists of the al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) had conducted a reconnaissance mission at the two healthcare facilities and could be planning an attack on either on one or both of the hospitals.

The letter said doctors, paramedics and patients could be held hostage during the attack and the terrorists could also carry out an explosion with the help of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

Director, National Institute of Child Health, Prof Dr Jamal Raza, when contacted, said security of institution has been enhanced in the light of law enforcement agencies’ direction. He said although Control Room, CCTV cameras, security guards and other screening equipment are available to check vehicles and visitors but such measures have not been enough for to avert any possible terrorist attack.

In past, a powerful bomb blast took place outside the Accident and Emergency Department JPMC, killing and injuring dozens of people while a similar blast was also occurred at the Civil Hospital Quetta about one year ago.

The former Executive Director, JPMC, Prof Dr Anisuddin Bhatti, had already sought Sindh’s government assistance for provision of trained guards, walk-through gates, metal detectors, vehicles scanners and other security instruments for the security of health facility but incumbent administration of institution dumped this important security.