SHIKARPUR - At least eight newborns died yesterday due to shortage of oxygen at Civil Hospital Sukkur.

The families of deceased children alleged that the newborns were died due to lack of oxygen, which was not provided to infants.

According to sources, only single medical officer is deputed in night and evening duty due to which the children are not given proper attention. Due to non-payment the contractor stopped the supply of oxygen, which led to this tragic incident, they added.

Talking to this correspondent Dr Abubakar, Medical Superintendent Civil Hospital Sukkur confirmed only two deaths of newborn babies.

In such condition, the parents of the infants shifted their babies to private hospitals for oxygen.

Khursheed Ahmed Shah, the Opposition Leader in National Assembly [NA] has visited the civil hospital some days ago and rebuked to the doctors and the hospital administration over the poor performance and lack of cleanliness.

Assistant visits Civil Hospital

Special Assistant to Chief Minister Sindh for Women Development department Ms Irum Khalid visited Burns Centre of Civil Hospital, Karachi with the officials of Women Development Department.

Iram Khalid was welcomed by Additional Medical Superintendent Dr Aliya and Senior Surgeon Dr Ahmer, at Burns Centre, said a statement on Friday.

Dr Ahmer briefly explained the working of Burns Centre, treatment and medicines facilities offered and also explained the joint venture of Burns Centre with the NGO “Friends of Burns center”.

Dr Ahmer also shared statistics about the mortality and recovery rate of the Burns victims.

After the briefing Iram Khalid visited the different sections and wards of the centre and reviews the conditions of cleanliness, attendance of staff, patient’s problems, treatment duration and the technical facilities provided by Burns Centre with keen interest.

She also inquired the health of female patients, and asked about their problems.

Iram Khalid praised the working of Burns Centre and assured further cooperation with Women Development Department in future.

Quarterly coordination meeting held

A quarterly coordination meeting held at Deputy Commissioner [DC] Office on the subject District Disaster Management Authority [DDMA] organised by HANDS International Shikarpur to share progress report among other organizations here on Friday.

The Deputy Commissioner [DC] Shikarpur Sikandar Ali Khushk presided over the meeting while ADC-1 Javeed Ahmed Shaikh was also attended the meeting.

District Executive Manager [DEM] Veer Bhan was chief guest while Abdul Rasheed was the honorable guest in the meeting.

Riaz Ahmed Mahar the representative of HANDS Shikarpur presented the presentation of updated progress of completed projects and ongoing activities before the participants.

Speaking on the occasion Mr Riaz said that we have completed 35 [CIP] schemes including bridges and roads clusters in four union councils including Pir Bakhs Shujrah, Zarkhail, Lodra and Jano Sharif of Taluka Khanpur and Shikarpur.

While HANDS Shikarpur formed 100 committees of villagers to aware them about disaster and also provided them trainings, in case any emergency comes in future then how could they protect them as well as others and how could they work self help basis until district government reach there.

Whereas, we have also made awareness section in schools of many villages among children for increasing education level through traditional game so that, they could aware about emergency. 

Deputy Commissioner Shikarpur Sikandar Ali Khushk hailed the efforts of HANDS Shikarpur team and gave some more directions on the occasion.

The representative of Hope development Association, Save the Children, SRSO, ITA, CSSP, SPO and Abdul Sami Unar participated in the meeting.