PCB sets up temporary hospitals near stadiums over coronavirus fears

The fans attending the HBL Pakistan Super League PSL 2020 fixtures at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore have access to top-class first aid facilities as the Punjab Government has set up a 20-bed temporary hospital at the ground floor of the National Hockey Stadium.

The 32-staff hospital, which is approximately 200 meters away from the stadium, will be operational till 23 March, a day after the HBL PSL 2020 final, and its operations are being looked after by General Hospital.

The staff includes five doctors – a senior general physician, a general physician, a heart specialist, an orthopedic and an eye-specialist – and 12 paramedical staff.

The temporary hospital is equipped with an operation theatre, a laboratory for tests, a pharmacy and a rescue ambulance.

For the convenience of the fans, the medical services and the medicine are free of cost.

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A six-bed temporary hospital has also been set-up in Karachi at the Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre, which is adjacent to the National Stadium.

The temporary hospital has been put in place by Sindh Government and includes a mini operation theatre, a pharmacy, a laboratory and equipment for X-ray scans.

Earlier this week, the Sindh Government announced that the PSL matches will go ahead as scheduled in Karachi.

According to details, the government of Sindh has assured the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that their health experts have given clearance for the matches as the coronavirus situation is under control.

Although in order to be on the safe side, the spectators, who will come to the stadium to watch the matches, will have to undergo medical screening before they can enter the venue. Also hand sanitizers will be available for people inside the stadium.

In the wake of three coronavirus cases emerging in Karachi, all educational institutions in Sindh are to be closed until March 13, the Sindh government has announced.

A three-bed temporary hospital has also been set-up at ARID University near the Pindi Cricket Stadium to provide first aid to the fans coming in for the HBL PSL 2020 matches in Rawalpindi.

The hospital has a staff of 10 doctors and four nurses and is run by Punjab Government.

Similarly, during the Multan leg of the HBL PSL 2020, a 10-bed temporary hospital was established inside the Multan Cricket Stadium.