Doctors, nurses and paramedical staff are on the frontlines in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. As the government hints at an ease in the lockdown, the medical community has come forward urging to reconsider the decision and convince people to stay at home.
The federal government allowed mosques to remain open during Ramazan, but health experts were not involved in the decision making. This sent shockwaves through the medical community as the number of COVID-19 cases – already exceeding 11,000 with 250 deaths – could spike even further.
In an unusual move, leading doctors in Karachi organised a press conference to update on the ground realities. The health system is saturated and on the verge of collapse and there would be not a single bed for patients if the situation continues. They dismissed the impression that the epidemic was not a serious issue in Pakistan as compared to other countries.
This should be the responsibility of the government but doctors are now issuing warnings. The Sindh government took the advice seriously and sought to limit Taraweeh prayers in the province. This was not well received and people clashed as they defied orders to pray in mosques. The lockdown is not been enforced as people move needlessly and supermarkets remain crowded.
This by followed by a statement by the former Punjab government spokesman Shehbaz Gill that the doctors were doing politics over the issue. He alleged the doctors were pushed by the Sindh government to hold the presser. They were strongly condemned by the Pakistan Medical Association who said it was their duty to want about pandemic and disasters.
The WHO has issued a stern warning that the number of COVID-19 cases in Pakistan could reach 200,000 by mid-July if ‘timely intervention’ were not taken. A group of female doctors have raised alarm and warned people from unnecessarily coming out of their homes. Yet, we seem not to take the advice of either the government or the health experts and continue with our activities.
In case the situation worsens, the government would be compelled to enforce a complete lockdown for weeks. Traders are advised to leave their businesses as lives matter more than profits. People are advised to pray at home to stop the spread of the virus. We need to not just save our lives but even the doctors and their advice should be listened and taken seriously.
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