From Zeeshan Mirza
KARACHI: Doctors in Sindh said Tuesday the provincial government should continue the lockdown beyond April 14 in a bid to contain the novel coronavirus as a “large population of the city is slum-dwellers” and, therefore, at risk. In a meeting with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah at the CM House, the doctors and health professionals suggested that the lockdown should not be eased off after April 14 as the virus would spread like wildfire if restrictions were lifted. If limitations on social activities were removed, it was likely that the spread of coronavirus would not be controlled, they warned.
“A large population of the city is slum-dwellers they live in small house with large families, travel in buses and crowds,” they said, adding that if such kind of crowds were allowed, COVID-19 infections could rise rapidly as people would catch the virus in buses or on streets and take it back home.
CM Shah told the meeting that he wanted support, cooperation, and guidance from the doctors and medics to fight the coronavirus. He added that he would consult with the cabinet and other stakeholders on the matter. The CEOs and owners of the private hospitals assured him that they would provide him equipment, human resources, and technical and expert support whenever the provincial government required.
