APD | Pakistan’s experience in fight against COVID-19

Editor's notes: The author is Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Sinologist (ex-Diplomat), Editor, Analyst, Non-Resident Fellow of CCG (Center for China and Globalization), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan.

COVID-19 in Pakistan

The strain of Coronavirus prevalent in Pakistan is different from the Chinese one. The state of the art Jamil-ur-Rahman Center for Genome Research at the University of Karachi noticed during the research of specimens found in Pakistani patients. In fact, in many countries, it is different than the other countries. The Chinese strain has more potent chromosomes than the Pakistani Strain of the Coronavirus. It might be less lethal than that found in China. This info is pertinent when a global race is on to understand the novel Coronavirus better.

Scientists and virologists around the world have been racing round the clock to develop a vaccine or cure before the virus overwhelms health systems and cripples the whole world. These findings will be a milestone and guidelines for further research in Pakistan and around the rest of the world.

Maybe this is the reason for the low spread of the virus and the low rate of death in Pakistan. Pakistan has a population of 220 million and stands at the 6th largest populated country in the world. There are 4,072 confirmed cases, while the whole world has reached 1,434,823. Similarly, the death toll in Pakistan is 58, while the global death toll has reached 82,155 already. The rate of infection per million of the population is 18, where the world average is 184.1. The death rate in Pakistan is 0.3 per million of the population, whereas the world average is 10.5 (The statistics are subject to change over time). The first case was found in China on 10 January, while in Pakistan, the first confirmed case was noticed on 25 February 2020.

Challenges

Pakistan is passing through the worst economic crisis in its history of 7 decades. Foreign debt has exceeded 100 Billion US Dollars. Exports are on the decline; foreign remittances reduced. GDP slowed down, Pakistani Rupees devalued sharply, inflation and political turmoil, and all of them were severe challenges being faced.

Under such circumstances, the outbreak of Coronavirus is not less than spraying petrol over the fire. The country was lack of masks, sanitizers, testing kits, and ventilators. There was no full-time health Minister at the federal level. The only advisor to Prime minister on health is looking after the health issues in the capacity of the Health Minister.

But despite all unfavorable conditions, the Government of Pakistan is committed to saving the lives of the public. Imposing a complete lockdown was not a feasible option for the ailing economy for the Government of Pakistan. We opted for targeted efforts and partial lockdown. Officials are very active and identifying the clusters and dangerous threat localities. Specific operations are conducted to contain an outbreak and isolate the infected. There are no medicines or vaccines, and the only prevention is the option left. Those who have good health, and a robust immune system, they may not get the infection at the first stage or recover in case infected. Only people who are sick, weak, low internal immunity are the easy target of this virus.

Fortunately, Political leadership and Military leadership are on the same page, judiciary, media, and all pillars of the power are supportive, and actively fighting against the outbreak. Although the resources are limited, yet the whole nation is committed to defeating Coronavirus.

Foreign Assistance

The US has extended financial assistance to Pakistan to fight against the outbreak. The US has redirected $1 million in existing funding and provided $1 million in new financing for lab and emergency supplies and to enable communities to identify potential coronavirus outbreak.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a further $2 million grant to support Pakistan, from the Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund. It will help fund the immediate purchase of emergency medical supplies, personal protective equipment, diagnostic and laboratory supplies, and other equipment.

The UAE has decided to assist Pakistan unabated in its fight against coronavirus pandemic as the second batch of eleven tons of medical and supplies arrived Islamabad from the UAE on 05 April 2020 (Sunday). The UAE is the second country after China that has been assisting Pakistan continuously and in constant contact with the Government here.

Japan has decided to give a grant of $1,620,000 through The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and USD 540,000 through the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to Pakistan. This support will boost Pakistan’s capacity to quickly track down the Coronavirus affected persons and treat them accordingly.

China has donated 12,000 test kits, 300,000 masks, 10,000 protective suits, medical gears, ventilators, and support to build a much-needed isolation hospital. 8-members Chinese experts are already in Pakistan to train Pakistani doctors and health workers. In addition to official government support, the private sector, individuals, and entrepreneurs have also donated a considerable number of medical materials and financial assistance. Alibaba Foundation and Jack Ma Foundation have donated 50,000 test kits and 500,000 face masks. Many Chinese are collecting charity and helping Pakistan. China is assisting Pakistan by sharing its proven-successful experience too.

Social Strength

97% population of Pakistan are Muslims. We eat Halal Food (very healthy and hygienic), Pray five times a day, wash hands and face five times a day, practice hygienic habits in routine life. Pakistan is a nation full of philanthropy spirit. Local traders and rich people are generously donating in the form of cash or providing material, which includes medical materials, groceries, and eatables. Even the middle-income people are also contributing according to their capacity.

Although the whole world is suffering due to Pandemic and lockdown, in Pakistan, there is no fear or panic. People are worried, definitely, but no panic. There is no shortage of food or necessities of life. Based on our social set-up, the Government has taken all possible measures to implement social distance and contain the virus from further spread. Pakistan was achieving partial local lockdown and focused on clusters. It has enabled the Government to utilize the available resources efficiently and effectively; on the other hand, it allowed the people to basic-normal life, avoiding panic and fear.

Pakistan learned the lesson from other countries who ignored the social distances and also from those who implemented a strict lockdown. The pros and cons were studied carefully, and based on our traditions and social fabric, a middle way was opted in implementing social distances.

This approach is one of the successful models, and the rest of the world may utilize it if convinced.

Although the challenges are many and resources are meager, but it is the spirit, how the whole nation is struggling collectively to defeat the outbreak. Trust, humankind will win, Pakistan will win.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)