Private Hospitals In Karachi Refuse Govt Request To Set Aside Beds For Coronavirus Patients

In a meeting held to secure the cooperation of private hospitals in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic, owners of private hospitals have refused the government's request to set aside 20% of their beds for Coronavirus patients. The owners of these hospitals have instead asked the government to set aside some publicly-owned hospitals for the sole purpose of treating patients who suffer from Covid-19.

According to a report by The News, the meeting with The Private Hospitals and Clinics Association was led by Sindh's Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. The owners and representatives of private hospitals suggested that the government set up critical care units at the Expo Centre in Karachi, which has been set aside for the fight against Coronavirus. Over there, the private hospitals offered to send ventilators and medical staff to help the Health Department.

Officials who attended the meeting have been quoted as saying that even though the government offered to take up the costs of treating any patients referred to private hospitals during the pandemic, the private hospitals' owners offered “scores of excuses”. Among the reasons cited by the owners include the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), proper testing kits for diagnosis of Covid-19, ventilators and drugs.