KARACHI:Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah speaking at a launching ceremony of Hand Book entitled `Field Isolation Center-Karachi’ said that he was proud of the Pakistani people and the resolve of their military who had come together to turn this project of supreme importance from paper to reality.
He said that the field isolation center (FIC) at Expo Centre Karachi had been set up jointly by the Sindh government and Pakistan army helped by the amazing people of Karachi. “This handbook is an excellent culmination of their efforts.
He said that it would help not only other national efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19 but also help those developing countries that lie in circumstances similar to ours who will use it as a guide map to building isolation centers in their own areas.
He said that a panel of doctors at field isolation center had made a consolidated endeavor to log their experience in the fight against COVID-19 and devise `Standing Operating Procedure/ protocols in the form of the book which would serve as a guideline for smooth establishment of a similar facility in future.
He congratulated all those individuals involved in setting up and operating of FIC. He added that the dedication and commitment to serve their fellow citizens was incomparable. “My best wishes and regards to all are frontline workers who have been working day and night to not only treat patients of Covid-19 but to help in controlling its spread in our province,” he said.
Shah said that some detractors were saying that he was doing politics on coronavirus. “Yes, I am doing politics for saving people from the virus and I’ll be doing this because of our people are innocent, simple, therefore, they need real service to them,” he said added “I am fighting for survival of the people of Sindh and you are fighting for your survival- this is the difference of the politics,” he told his opponents.
The chief minister appreciated doctors, nurses, para-medical staff and volunteers for playing as frontline workers roles to save the people from the virus. He said that FIC was established on April 6. “In February when first case of coronavirus was reported, he had decided to establish a field isolation center in the city,” he said and added he talked with the federal minister Razzak Dawood for handing him over the Expo Center for setting up filed isolation center.
He thanked Razak Dawood for allowing Sindh govt for making the Expo Center as FIC. Shah said that he was establishing Infectious Disease Center for Coronavirus patients at Gulshan-e-Iqbal and similar facilities would be developed at divisional headquarters. “The coronavirus is a reality- its treatment has not been created so far, therefore, we have to live with it but with appropriate preparations and SOPs,” he said.
The chief minister said that so far 550 patients had been admitted to FIC ad of them 250 had been cured and discharged. Earlier, the organizers of the programme presented first copy of the book to the chief minister as way to launch the book.
The chief minister visited the Command and Control Center of FIC and met with the doctors, para-medical staff and volunteers, and appreciated them for their selfless services. The book launching ceremony was attended by senior officers of Pak Army, leading doctors, Dr Nuzhat Faruqui, Dr Waris Ahmed, Dr Muneer Amanullah, Dr Arish Haider, Faisal Edhi, Dr Mushtaq Chhapra, Commissioner Karachi Iftikhar Shahalwani and others.