Sindh Cheif Minister seeks private sector’s help as coronavirus testing unsatisfactory

Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah met with private hospital heads on Tuesday and appealed for their help in fighting coronavirus in the province.

I will need your expertise in this fight,” CM said during the meeting with hospital executive directors and CEOs. It is a big fight and the government can not do it alone.

I want to take you all onboard, the CM said, as the total number of coronavirus patients in Sindh reached 986.

Around 54 new cases were confirmed in the morning, said the health department. These included 45 new cases of local transmission in Karachi, 7 new cases of local transmission in Tando M Khan and one new case each in Hyderabad and Shaheed Benazirabad.

One death was also reported in Karachi on Tuesday. The death toll from the coronavirus now stands at 18, according to the Sindh health department.

16 patients recovered from the virus in Karachi bringing the total recoveries to 269 in the province.

However, only 10,233 coronavirus tests have been carried out.

We are unable to carry out the number of tests we should be doing because of the shortage of kits, the CM said. He told the private sector that extra beds had been arranged in public hospitals for patients though the govt’s resources were scarce.

Dr Asim of Ziauddin Hospital said, all private hospitals are ready to help the Sindh govt.

Dr Salman Farid of Liaquat National Hospital said, however, we need PPEs personal protective equipment, medicines and testing kits. If the government helps us with supplies we will be able to treat patients at lower costs.

Trauma surgeon Dr Junaid Shah lauded the Sindh government’s efforts and reminded them that coronavirus positive patients shouldn’t be sent to regular hospitals.

Chinese experts suggest further extension of the lockdown

Meanwhile a delegation of Chinese doctors and paramedical professionals met on Tuesday Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho to discuss the province’s response to coronavirus.

They said, testing needs to be increased to eliminate the coronavirus. The health experts also suggested that the govt extend the duration of the lockdown to fight the covid-19.

They said, the China was under lockdown for 8 weeks as they identified patients.

The delegation also reiterated its promise to train Pakistani doctors and health professionals treating coronavirus patients.

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