Global health body urges immediate lock down to stop the spread of corona virus

WHO questions Pakistani government’s response to corona virus. Pakistani response to corona virus is weak, says WHO-the World Health Organization. Thus, a letter has been sent to Punjab Health Minister Dr. Yasmeen Rashid. In the letter, the global health body identifies that there are six conditions for any government who wants to lift restrictions. These restrictions include:

1. Diseases Transmission is under control
2. Overall, Health systems can detect, test, isolate and treat every case and every contact
3. Hot spot risks are minimal
4. Schools, workplaces and other essential places have all preventive measures in place
5. The risk of importing new cases is manageable
6. Communities are fully aware to live under a new normal

Charge Sheet from WHO

Moreover, the letter iterates in clear terms that Pakistan does not meet any of the conditions. “As of today, Pakistan does not meet any of the pre-requisite conditions for opening the lock down,” states the letter.

It further adds that the rate of corona virus in Pakistan is alarming. It further says that the positivity rate is high at 24% (above the required level of 5%). Moreover, it also questions the government’s ability to provide critical care as there are only 751 ventilators available for Covid-19 patients. Pakistan has become one of the top ten countries in the world reporting highest number of cases.

In the letter, Dr. Palitha Mahipala, WHO Representative and Head of Mission clearly requests strong measures from the government. Thus, the letter calls for strengthening all public health measures such as quarantine, isolation, social distancing and contact tracing. “WHO strongly recommends that the Government adapts the 2 weeks off and 2 weeks on strategy as it offers the smallest curve,” states the letter. It also urges that Pakistan should increase its testing capacity to 50,000 tests per day.