Foreign Desk Report
GENEVA: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has listed Pakistan among seven countries that have tackled coronavirus pandemic in the best way. Pakistan has successfully flattened the coronavirus curve despite its dilapidated health infrastructure while the deadly contagion is spreading uncontrollably in many developed countries of the world.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, while speaking at the media briefing, highlighted seven countries, amongst many, whose preparation and response offer lessons for the rest of the world in how to deal with a global pandemic. These countries include Pakistan, Italy, Thailand, Mongolia, Mauritius and Uruguay.
“Pakistan has used the infrastructure it developed in its fight against polio to tackle Covid-19,” said the director-general. “Community health workers, previously used to vaccinate children for polio, have been redeployed for contact tracing and monitoring.”
The WHO DG said that the Pakistani government is spending more on health and social welfare of its people and added that even critics of the government, are appreciating the efforts. Dr Tedros also issued a stark warning about the work needed to prepare the world for future pandemics. “History teaches us that outbreaks and pandemics are a fact of life. But when the next pandemic comes, the world must be ready more ready than it was this time.” Dr Tedros called on countries to invest in public health, as a “foundation of social, economic and political stability”.
Earlier, PM Imran Khan chaired the meeting of NSC and directed the concerned authorities to devise a comprehensive strategy to prevent the spread of the disease. A lockdown was announced on March 16 and a number of industries, including the construction industry, educational institutions, restaurants, marriage halls etc were closed. The National Disaster Management Authority was involved to ensure medical equipment and health related supplies at the earliest due to which coordination with the provinces improved.
Pakistan also sealed its western border with Afghanistan and Iran. Even Kartarpur shrine was closed for local people. The construction industry was opened on August 7 and the National Coordination Committee on Covid-19 lifted restrictions on the tourism sector from Aug 8 and on restaurants and transport sector from Aug 10.
