Hospitals allegedly include normal patients to COVID-19 cases

KARACHI: As the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise in the city, several hospitals are reportedly adding patients suffering from other ailments to the list of COVID-19 infections, it has been revealed.

Several hospitals have reportedly offered hefty amounts to the family members of deceased patients if they agreed to add them to list of coronavirus patients. Sources revealed that hospitals reportedly asked that the deceased would be buried as per the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safety precautions for COVID-19 victims and are offering Rs1-300,000 as compensation amounts.

A woman was provided treatment for coronavirus at Ziauddin Hospital despite being testing negative for the virus. The husband of the deceased woman, named Ishrat, told media outlets that his wife’s test came negative twice, yet she was deliberately provided treatment for COVID-19.

Accusing the hospital of gross negligence, the man, named Idrees, alleged that his wife was killed under the pretext of coronavirus. He claimed that he has enough evidence but is not being heard and demanded justice.

Interestingly, an official of the Deputy Commissioner South called on the deceased’s woman number to inquire about contracting the virus. The woman’s husband answered the call and lodged a strong complaint of medical negligence on part of the hospital. The call attendant was surprised to know of their health but offered no further assistance.

Idrees claims that he has complete medical reports of his wife proving that she was not suffering from COVID-19 but deliberately provide treatment. He said such actions have increased fear of hospitals among the citizens.