Infectious diseases on the rise in Sindh
Need stressed for setting up more specialised infectious disease facilities in public health sector By Mukhtar Alam KARACHI: The Sindh Infectious Disease Hospital and Research Centre (SIDH&RC) in Karachi reported a 6% increase in patient admissions in 2024, registering 7,645 cases from all major infection categories, compared to 2023 figures of inpatients. This rise is particularly alarming given the increased threat of tuberculosis (14% among adults) and measles (32% among children). According to the SIDH’s annual data shared with Social Track , the 173-bed hospital admitted 5,252 adults and 2,393 children in 2024, up from 4,923 adults and 2,296 children in 2023. The hospital also saw a significant increase in outpatient visits, with 38,189 adults and children attending clinics in 2024, a 33% rise from 2023, which, as per doctors, reflects on considerable prevalence of infectious diseases that are grouped like viral, bacterial, parasitic, fungal, transmissib...