Health Desk:
So far, 9 doctors have been tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province. Earlier, six doctors were tested positive for the deadly virus. However, on Wednesday evening, three more doctors were tested positive, which taken the tally of infected doctors to nine. Dr. Rahim Babar, the Spokesman Young Doctors Association (YDA) Balochistan confirmed that three more doctors were tested positive for the coronavirus in the province.
Despite repeated attempts by Quetta Voice, the officials preferred not to comment on fresh cases of doctors being tested positive for the deadly virus.
Dr. Yasir Achakzai, the President Young Doctors Association (YDA) Balochistan lamented that doctors were exposed to this danger and that all-out efforts should be made by the government to provide protective equipment to doctors.
The Balochistan Chief Minister, Jam Kamal Khan has assured the provision of all basic protective equipment to doctors treating the coronavirus patients. “Our commitment is to protect doctors and masses”, the Chief Minister said.
Increasing cases of doctors being infected by the deadly virus have sent alarm bells in the doctors’ community. “We are frightened to check the patients after these cases”, Dr. Rahim Babar said.
The government should ensure conducting tests of all doctors, nurses and paramedical staff who had conducted the treatment of coronavirus patients at Pak-Iran border Taftan and at Sheikh Zayed Hospital Quetta, Dr. Yasir Achakzai demanded.
Balochistan has a limited number of doctors to cope with the situation, therefore, all-out efforts should be made to first protect doctors battling the deadly virus, Dr. Achakzai said.
Balochistan government has so far confirmed 158 cases of a novel coronavirus in the province. Chief Secretary Balochistan, Fazeel Asghar on Tuesday stated that 20 patients had no foreign history of travel and had contracted the virus locally.
