JPMC CHK put on high alert

Secretary Health Sindh, Dr Fazllullah Pechuho on Thursday put the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC) and the Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) on high alert, following the bomb blast in Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine in Sehwan Sharif, while Director General Health Sindh, Dr Hasan Murad Shah also declared emergency in four districts: Jamshoro, Dadu, Matiari and Shaheed Benazirabad.
Rescue sources said that more than 50 people were dead and scores others wounded when a suicide bomber struck Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine. Children and women were among the victims. The death toll is feared to rise as many of the injured are in critical condition. The explosion took place at a courtyard where the Dhamaal dance (Sufi ritual) was being performed, within the premises of the shrine.
Head of Emergency Department, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center Dr Seemin Jamali, talking to PPI, said Secretary Health Sindh and Additional Secretary Health Sindh have directed the hospital administration to remain alert as many injured could be shifted to the hospital.
She said following the direction, emergency has been declared in the hospital and doctors, paramedics and nurses directed to report to the emergency department. She said life-saving medicines were also arranged to tackle any emergency situation.
Provincial Minister for Health, Dr Sikander Mandhro expressed deep sorrow and grief over the tragic incident and declared emergency in Jamshoro and Hyderabad hospitals, while the medical superintendents of government hospitals were directed to ensure availability of doctors, paramedics and medicines in their healthcare facilities.
Medical Superintendent, Civil Hospital Karachi, Dr Zulfiqar Ali Siyal, said emergency has already been declared in his hospital to treat bomb blast injured if brought to the hospital. He said medical staffs including senior doctors, staff nurses and paramedical staff are directed to report the emergency department.