Replies sought in Congo virus case

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday sought replies from Punjab secretary health, Drug Regulatory Authority and others on a petition questioning failure of the government to control Congo virus.

The petitioner’s counsel argued on behalf of the petitioner that there were evidences of Congo virus spreading in Punjab whereas Pakistan had a Congo virus scare for many years. He said the role of health department in Punjab was not very admirable as the statistics given by the department were rarely trustworthy. The health officials commonly fudged or hid facts and the health coverage in the province was low that many deaths went uncounted.

The lawyer said particularly those living in the rural areas were more exposed to animals and had lesser sanitation than the urban dwellings. He pointed out that many citizens, including doctors and paramedical staff died after contracting the Congo virus and that too due to improper treatment, absence of first safety protocol and non- availability of safety dresses for doctors and paramedical staff working in Special Isolation Ward marked for Congo virus patients.

He said it was evident and found that there was no vaccine available in government hospitals that could protect the precious lives of the citizens. He said the health department had not issued warning to all government and private hospitals to get ready to fight against the Congo virus through proper medicine, vaccine, special safety measurements and rest of the necessary equipment.

The lawyer prayed to the court to direct the government to take immediate steps to check lethal epidemic of Congo fever in order to enforce Article 9 of the Constitution and place all record, detail and documents confirming that virus was under control and it will have effect on public at large.

Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah heard the arguments and issued notices to the respondents for September 9. The chief justice directed the health department to submit details about steps taken to control the Congo virus and statistics of the affected patients.