CDGK to bear expenses of blast injured

ASH also searched for explosive by BDS:

February 5, 2010
By Irfan Aligi

KARACHI: City nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has announced that the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) would bear all expenses that would be accrued on treatment of Chellum blast victims especially for all private hospitals.

CDGK Health Group of Offices District Officer Dr Zafar Ejaz said that in this regard, CDGK Health Group of Offices Executive District officer Dr Shahab Imam as been deputed at the Aga Khan Hospital (AKH) to look after all the victims as regards to medical facilities.

On the other hand, Dr Capt. (Retd) Abdul Ghafoor has been assigned to look after similar matter at the Liaquat National Hospital, said Dr Ejaz, adding that all other key CDGK hospitals have been placed under high alert including the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital (ASH).

He added that 6 doctors from each town have been summoned at ASH while all operation theatres have been placed ready to meet any emergency and availability of life saving drugs has also been ensured by 100 percent. The ASH Medical Superintendent (MS) and all medical and paramedical staffs would stay alert round the clock.

Dr Capt. (Retd) Abdul Ghafoor told daily Times that he had been at the Liaquat National Hospital all day long where 8 dead bodies and 62 injured were brought. Five of the slightly injured were sent home after necessary treatment.

He added that the same number of dead bodies and the injured was brought to AKH of which five slightly injured were sent home as well.

He said that as yet, details of expenses could not be ascertained but the CDGK has signed an agreement with the AKH for ensuring all types of medical treatment and administration of drugs. The AKH would take care of all such operations while the CDGK would release payment of the expenses.

At ASH, 3 injured were brought for treatment and were sent home after necessary treatment.

Dr Ejaz said that placing all major CDGK hospitals on high alert was meant to receive any victim for further care. Henceforth, these emergency steps have been taken.

ASH MS Dr Mashhood Uz Zafar Farooqui told DailyTimes that 1 dead body and 4 injured were brought to ASH. Three were sent home while one was being operated at the time of filing this report.

He said that special arrangements have been made including availability of 50 beds in three different departments so as to cope up with any emergent situation especially when the injured would be shifted to ASH from other private hospitals.

He said that all life saving drugs for 500 patients including a stock of medicines for 200 patients have been ensured at in-patient and trauma and casualty respectively.

The bomb disposal squad has reached the ASH for search of any explosive material after Jinnah Postgraduate medical centre blast incident. However, nothing was recovered till filing of this report.

Earlier, ASH MS Dr Mashhood Uz Zafar farooqui had Immediately after JPMC blast started search from metal detectors. More than one attendant with patients being admitted in ASH have been sent out the hospital premises.

EDO health Dr Shahab Imam could not be contacted despite efforts.