ISLAMABAD: Health experts have pointed out that there are high chances of spread of infectious diseases in Federal Capital due to presence of people from different areas in the sit-ins of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT).

They claimed people, who came here from various cities of the country in the protest with history of different diseases, particularly communicable diseases, may lead to further expansion of their diseases to others. He said whenever such situation occurs when people from different places get-together at one place, there are great chances of increase of various infectious disease like skin disease, or other form of diseases.

Skin specialist, Dr Raza Ahmad said that skin infections and superficial infections are common in case of presence of large of people at one place including impetigo, ringworm, conjunctivitis, scabies, and head lice. He said people should promptly wash and cover sores, cuts, and scrapes while people whose eyes are discharging puss should not be in contact with other people and they should avoid moving in public until the discharge has stopped. Similarly, in case of rashes, sores, running eyes, and severe itching, sit-ins participants should immediately consult to medical experts.

A medical expert, Dr. Mamtaz Khan said that sometimes transmission of microorganism’s occurred directly from one person to another by one or more of the means including droplet contact like coughing or sneezing on another person or touching an infected person. He said that people of separate living areas when congregate at single place in large number, there are confirm chances of dissemination of various diseases and advised the protesters to take special preventive measures.

When contacted, spokesman of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Dr. Wasim Khawaja said that there are chances of spread of infectious diseases due to sit-ins; however special arrangements have been made by the hospital management in this regard.

He said that the hospital has put highly equipped ambulances on high alert to provide immediate medical assistance to sit-in participants of Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT).

He said that protesters can visit the hospital's emergency in case of any medical complication, or they can get information or standard medical assistance from hospital's helpline 051 9261170.He said that besides policemen who are on duty, several protesters visiting PIMS with complications like headache, fever, back pain, sore throat and weakness. He said all arrangements have been made to deal with any untoward situation and sufficient stocks of medicines are available at the hospital.

Source: APP