Frontline against coronavirus

The death of young doctor in Gilgit Baltistan, who spearheaded the fight against the novel coronavirus, shows our vulnerabilities as a nation. Medical staff and paramedics are at the frontline in the war against coronavirus and are the most at risk as well.

The young physician has become the first Pakistani doctor to have died from the disease which he contracted while handling suspected cases returning to the region. He was part of a team of doctors tasked with screening patients particularly those returning from Iran. The doctor reportedly ignored his health and served patients despite not being provided with any services. He was found unconscious and later tested positive for coronavirus and died a few days later.

Our response has been rather dismal but not unexpected. The local authorities are calling him a martyr and have declared him a national hero. This is certainly not a viable solution and more should be done to help them. Doctors and other medical staff need to be providing safety equipment, masks and hazmat suits when handling suspected coronavirus cases but continue to remain exposed.

The world should recognise that advanced weapons, chemical bombs, and long-standing armies are of no use when facing an enemy invisible to the human eye. The virus doesn’t even discriminate against anyone, Asian or European, nationality, ethnicity or whether you are a billionaire. Instead, it is the doctors, nurses, paramedics, and support staff who are on the frontline in the war against the epidemic.

It is also seen that we were not prepared for an epidemic of such proportions. We lacked the necessary safety precautions, response time, health care systems, and advanced research to save ourselves. When this is all over, perhaps we should prioritise health and education rather than building more sophisticated weapons which can destroy the world several times over.

China has turned the tide against the coronavirus and flattened the curve. They have no new local cases for several days now. This was not just due to the strict lockdown but the dedication and perseverance of its doctors and medical staff. When doctors left Wuhan – where Covid-19 originated – they were saluted by the army as there are the real soldiers in this war.

We should be more concerned about the health and safety of our doctors and medical staff. They should have the necessary safety equipment and take all precautions as well. It’s time we should be considerate about their health and stay at home to defeat the pandemic as they have stepped out for us.