'Doctors working without proper protective gear in LUH isolation wards'.

Byline: Mohammad Hussain Khan

HYDERABAD -- While the Sindh government has released Rs100m emergency funds to fight coronavirus, doctors performing duties in the isolation ward of the Liaquat University Hospital (LUH) city branch are worried and apprehensive in treating suspected cases of the virus because of non-availability of complete kits in the hospital.

'We are handling suspected patients with normal masks. I don't know if LUH administration has procured them because these are not yet available until recently. Nor the masks are provided to us,' claimed Young Doctor Association president Dr Roshan Chandio on Sunday evening.

The doctor said that considering the gravity of the situation doctors did not want to agitate against the LUH administration, but they were simultaneously scared too as it was a matter of their own health and safety.

Neither the LUH administration, nor the Sindh directorate of health has been able to provide complete kits to doctors.

It is not yet known whether DG health services of Sindh has procured required material like N95 masks, caps, gloves, hand sanitisers and gown.

Currently, 11 suspected patients are kept in LUH isolation ward. Out of 53, Sindh reports '35 confirmed COVID19 cases' so far.

Only one confirmed coronavirus patient - a woman from Qasimabad - was confirmed from Hyderabad city. She is said to be showing positive signs of symptoms of relief during treatment.

But it was this patient who was tested positive. An assistant professor Dr Arsalan was being sent to get her sample while wearing normal gown and required kit and mask. 'But ENT department head didn't let him go after consulting varsity administration and then university management provided kit and that the very patient was tested positive for the COVID19', said a university doctor.

According to a Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS) source, an ENT assistant professor was sent by LUH to obtain her sample. 'It was university that provided him N95 mask', said the source. 'LUH administration is not realising the fact that luckily no one is infected but what will happen in case there is an outbreak of such cases', he said.

Reports said that a committee in Sindh directorate of health was formed for procurement of required items, including gloves, mask, caps, sanitisers and it was not known whether procurement had been done. The directorate looks after entire Sindh health facilities except tertiary hospitals and those being...