Isolation wards established at KMC hospitals

KARACHI: Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) Medical & Health Services Department (MHSD) has established isolation wards in four major health facilities of KMC for treatment of suspected Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) cases during Eid-ul-Azha.

MHSD Senior Director Dr Birbal Genani said the isolation wards have been set up in Abbasi Shaheed Hospital (ASH), Landhi Medical Complex Hospital, Gazdarabad General Hospital and Sarfaraz Rafiqui Shaheed Hospital.

The doctors, nurses and paramedical staff have been instructed to take preventive measures while treating suspected Congo patients and contaminated needles, surgical instruments and body waste material should be safely disposed of using appropriate decontamination procedures, he said.

“All the medical superintendents and focal persons have been directed to take precautions to avoid the disease during these days. It is advised that hospital should also take adequate precautions while treating patients exposed to domestic animals or meat handlers and must observe adequate infection control procedures,” he added.

They have asked to provide health, education and advices to the general public for awareness. The Congo fever is highly contagious disease, a fatal viral disease that spreads through tick bite.

Therefore heads and medical superintendents of KMC hospitals have been directed to prepare and take appropriate measures to protect human lives, particularly doctors and health care providers against Congo virus.