Haji Ghaffar Achakzai, a dedicated paramedic at Civil Hospital Quetta, succumbed to the deadly Congo virus on Friday, marking the 19th fatality in Balochistan this year. Achakzai, a vital member of the paramedical staff, had been undergoing treatment at Fatima Jinnah General & Chest Hospital.
The relentless spread of the virus has cast a dark shadow over the province, with 64 reported cases in Balochistan. Disturbingly, 15 medical professionals, including 10 doctors from Civil Hospital Quetta, have fallen victim to the tick-borne illness.
The Caretaker Chief Minister of Balochistan, Mir Ali Mardan Domki, expressed deep concern over the escalating crisis. Presently, 13 individuals, including nine doctors and two medical staff members, are undergoing treatment in Karachi.
As the gravity of the situation intensifies, Caretaker CM of Sindh, Maqbool Baqar, has taken proactive measures to prevent the virus’s spread across borders. He has directed the health department to issue an alert in the border areas of Sindh, specifically in Dadu, Shahdadkot, and Jacobabad.
CM Baqar emphasized the urgency of intensified monitoring, fumigation, and precautionary measures in these regions. He further instructed the health and livestock department to closely monitor cattle markets and animals, expressing concern that the influx of Congo patients from Balochistan through Dadu could potentially exacerbate the situation in the city.
As the death toll continues to rise, health authorities are grappling with the challenge of containing the Congo virus’s spread and implementing effective preventive measures to safeguard the public. The situation remains fluid, and citizens are urged to adhere to recommended precautions to minimize the risk of infection.
