CM Murad orders inquiry into attack on doctors in CHK

KARACHI: Taking the notice of the attack on the medical staff of the Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital (CHK) Karachi on Friday night, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has ordered an immediate inquiry into the incident.

Earlier, a COVID-19 patient passed away at Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK), after which the enraged relatives of the deceased had vandalized the facility and attacked doctors, allegedly because the medical staff “delayed handing over the body” of the patient.

In a statement, Syed Murad Ali Shah said, “Our doctors, nurses, and paramedics are risking their lives to save the lives of others. Such violence against them will not be tolerated.”

The chief minister said, “If people had a complaint against the doctors and medical staff, they should have talked to the administration instead of attacking.”

“Health workers at government hospitals should not feel alone, the government is standing by them,” CM Murad added.

A senior police official said that a case had been registered about the incident and the culprits involved in the attack would be dealt with according to the law.

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 further 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.