KARACHI: The Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation has started testing coronavirus after getting diagnostic kits from the Sindh government.

The testing facility would be available round-the-clock throughout the week at the SIUT.

“The testing facility, which is totally free, will go a long way in augmenting clinical activities at the medical institution of tertiary care. Some 5,000 transplant patients already in the care of the institute can also be beneficiary of this facility,” said an SIUT official.

He appreciated the support extended by the provincial government as patients with other health complications were at a high risk of coronavirus infection.

According to him, the SIUT has already established an isolation ward as a part of their clinical strategy to meet the challenges of corona epidemic.

In addition, a triage comprising a six-member medical team headed by two doctors who specialise in the chest and infectious diseases have been deputed at the outpatient department of the hospital.

“The team is tasked to carry out the screening exercise and shift those found positive to the isolation ward set up at the third floor of Hanifa Suleman Oncology Centre.

The Infection Diseases Department and Pulmonology of SIUT is the focal point of the exercise being carried out,” he said.

A day earlier, the institute announced that it would start a 24-hour helpline (021-99215469) where doctors would be providing appropriate and updated information on the coronavirus.

The SIUT has over 3,000 registered dialysis patients. Of them, some 1,000 patients get dialysis daily. Furthermore, the cancer unit of the institute has over 3,000 registered patients out of which 150 patients visit the hospital daily.

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2020