LARKANA: Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University (SMBBMU) has decided to streamline the data of Covid-19 patients. To supervise the system, three statistical officers would be deputed to monitor and ensure the system’s link with the dashboard working at CM House, Karachi, for the purpose.

In a meeting presided over by SMBBMU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Aneela Atta-ur-Rehman here recently, it was observed that often the patients with signs and symptoms of coronavirus rushed to the intensive care unit (ICU) during the day in a serious condition without doing PCR and later on they died.

Though their radiological and clinical signs and symptoms had matched the virus, but when the results were conveyed to the dashboard, it declined to accept and enter it, they said.

In order to resolve that issue, the meeting decided that three statistical officers would be tasked to supervise the issue. They would also compile correct data.

It was also observed that despite PCR negative, patients had signs and symptoms resembling Covid-19. Therefore, the meeting decided to write to the health secretary to allow counting such patients as that of Covid-19 cases.

It also reached an agreement to fully vacate the high dependency unit at the Chandka Medical College Hospital (CMCH).

The VC, who is also the chairperson of the CMCH management board, said the health secretary would also be approached to address the issue of the shortage of oxygen.

The faculty and technical staff of the pathology department would immediately be deputed in the Covid-19 laboratory. Keeping in view the rise in the cases, the university had asked its employees not to leave the headquarters without prior permission.

The VC apprehended further rise in the corona cases in Eid days and advised people to remain indoors and observe SOPs to help save themselves and their near and dear ones from that dangerous virus.

Those attending the meeting included SMBBMU registrar Dr Qararo Shah, Chandka Medical College principal Prof K. Das, ICU in-charge Prof Dr Hakim Abro, district focal person for Covid-19 Dr Farman Abro, additional medical superintendent (MS) Dr Gulzar Tunio and others.

Another meeting was held at the Cadet College of Larkana regarding the Covid-19 situation recently, attended by Dr Aneela, additional commissioner, senior superintendent of police, additional DHO, CMCH additional MS and a representative of the WHO.

The sources said the meeting decided to keep 110 beds of dental hospital ready for Covid-19 patients as the cases would swell in Eid days. Currently, the CMCH had the capacity of 84 beds to accommodate corona patients.

Describing the situation as alarming, Dr Tunio said 43 patients were admitted in the ICU.

During April, 21 patients had died while so far 14 patients had died in May (till the filing of this report) in the unit, he said. The crowd of patients’ attendants present outside the ICU itself was dangerous, he added.

Published in Dawn, May 13th, 2021