ANP, residents oppose plan to set up isolation centre at Clifton hospital

karachi: Showing their concerns over reports that the Sindh government has been planning to set up an isolation centre for coronavirus patients at a hospital situated in Clifton, the Awami National Party and residents of Shireen Jinnah Colony and Keamari said establishing such a facility in a congested neighborhood would expose a large population to the pandemic.

ANP Sindh President Shahi Syed on Sunday said that the provincial government had been planning to use Altamash Hospital situated in Clifton near Shireen Jinnah Colony as an isolation centre for people infected with the coronavirus.

“Because of the government’s decision, residents of nearby densely populated neighbourhoods of Keamari and Shireen Jinnah Colony as well Clifton have been facing insecurity,” said Syed. “The government should prevent the healthy population from contracting the disease.”

He suggested that the government should establish such facilities outside all densely-populated areas and use areas such as the Expo Centre for these purposes. Residents Shireen Jinnah Colony have also shown their apprehension over the decision to establish an isolation centre for the people infected with coronavirus.

“There is a fear and chaos after a report emerged that the government has been setting up an isolation and treatment centre for coronavirus patients near our area,” said Jahandad Ali, a social activist in Shireen Jinnah Colony.

He said that the government should rethink its decision and relocate the isolation centre to some secure area on the city’s outskirts, such as the Super Highway and the National Highway.

Ali demanded that the isolation centres be established outside the populated areas. “If the government does not withdraw its decision, residents of Shireen Jinnah Colony and neighbouring areas of Keamari will hold a protest against it,” he warned.