Sindh Renews SOPs For Burials
The Sindh government has decided to hand over the bodies of deceased COVID-19 patients to their families for dignified burials, and allowed burials in any graveyard in the province. Moreover, the provincial government has issued new SOPs for burials: after performing ghusal with all precautions and then shrouding the deceased, the bodies will be handed over to families for funeral rites.
Transport Blocked Despite SC Orders
The federal government lifted the ban on inter-city and inter-province transport and allowed small businesses, markets, and malls to reopen under directives issued by the Supreme Court on Monday, May 18. But despite these orders, Balochistan has maintained the ban on public transport to prevent any further spread of the virus and urged citizens to avoid traveling unless absolutely necessary. Meanwhile, transport owners in Punjab refused to resume transport services due to disagreements with government SOPs. Transport owners claim they face certain losses under the SOPs which mandate that transport buses can only carry half their passenger capacity and that fares should be slashed.
Doctors Boycott Over Lack Of PPE
Young Consultants Association (YCA) doctors boycotted their duties at Chandka Medical College Hospital (CMCH) central outpatient department (OPD) over the failure of the hospital administration to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) for doctors, nurses, paramedics, and other hospital staff. They alleged that in addition to the lack of PPE, SOPs were not being followed at the hospital, which put patients, the staff, and their families at risk.
Patients Infect Jamrud Hospital Staff
Poor security and restrictions at the Jamrud Hospital isolation ward in the Khyber district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa transmitted the novel coronavirus disease to at least two doctors and four paramedics, according to reports. Most patients had returned from Afghanistan via the Torkham border and allegedly faced no restrictions when mingling and roaming about the ward freely. Patient surveillance and security to be raised in light of the disease being passed on to the medical staff.