KOHAT: The Covid-19 patients have complained about excessive electricity loadshedding, unhygienic toilets and wards at the KDA divisional hospital here. They also complained about the staff not following the standard operating procedures against the pandemic.

A patient, Syed Zulfiqar Shah, who was diagnosed with Covid-19 three days ago, told Dawn on Friday that 12 to 15 blood drops fell on the ground when a technician took a blood sample from him.

He said when his wife tried to remove the drops she was stopped from doing so, adding such a callous attitude of the hospital staff was likely to give rise to virus cases in the hospital.

The patient said during the first two days of his admission, senior doctors and medical officers came twice a day for check-ups. However, later nobody paid a visit.

He also complained about dirty condition of toilets, saying he had to bring fresh bed sheets and pillow from home each day as hospital did not change them regularly.

He said the government claimed to spend Rs2.5 million on each Covid-19 patient, but he wondered as to where such huge money went.

He appealed to the medical superintendent to order the staff to follow SOPs, ensure cleanliness of toilets, wards and stop power loadshedding in hot weather.

Meanwhile, the district administration in consultation with trade unions on Friday announced Fridays and Saturdays as closed days due to a surge in Covid-19 cases.

Earlier, Fridays and Sundays were declared as closed days for traders.

A notification issued from the deputy commissioner’s office said all types of commercial activities, except essential services, would remain open till 8pm. Hotels and restaurants with outdoor dining only will remain open till 10pm, while takeaways will continue 24/7.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2021