KARACHI: A COVID-19 patient passed away at Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK), after which the enraged relatives of the deceased vandalized the facility and attacked doctors, allegedly because the medical staff “delayed handing over the body” of the patient.
According to sources, a 35-year-old patient was brought to the CHK at 2:15 am on Friday however, he died while being treated. The doctors suspected the patient to have the COVID-19 and conducted a test.
Sources said the relatives of the deceased patient refuted the test results and alleged that the doctors had declared him to be positive even though the patient was in the normalized condition. They also alleged that the patient did not have the symptoms of the COVID-19.
Responding to allegations, CHK Medical Superintendent, Dr Khadim Hussain Qureshi said that doctors at the hospital were only following the standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the government for handling bodies of people who die from the COVID-19.
Qureshi added that the patient had come to CHK complaining of a heart problem. The doctors suspected that he had the COVID-19 and conducted a test.
He said that none of the doctors were injured in the violence. He added, however, that a female doctor was slapped by one of the deceased’s relatives.
This is Karachi Civil Hospital. Doctors say over 70 persons attacked it's ER tonight at around 11am. Docs & staff remained unhurt.
They say the attackers had iron rods, knives.
"KOI CORONA NAHEN HAI. YE SAB DOCTORS KA DRAMA HAI," they shouted. pic.twitter.com/MZsHllxbJ7— Sameer Mandhro (@smendhro) May 29, 2020
Meanwhile, a police official said hospital administration had not approached police for lodging a first information report (FIR). However, police have decided to register the case against the persons involved over charges of rioting and creating hindrances in official work, the official added.
The hospitals across the country are getting overwhelmed due to the rush of suspected coronavirus patients, with most of them reaching the brink of their capacity.
Due to the developing situation, the patients, as well as their relatives, are getting wrought with worry and resorting to either brawling or violence. The hospital staff overworked due to the outbreak of the COVID-19, at times have no security measures in place.
