Pak-China medics hold video conference to tackle COVID-19

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The healthcare professionals from China’s Jiangsu Province Hospital held a video conference with medical staff of Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, on prevention and treatment of COVID-19. 

According to Zhao Jun, the Director of Jiangsu Province Hospital, Chinese medical experts on emergency management, infectious diseases and gastroenterology shared their experience with their Pakistani counterparts on screening, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 patients, public health management of healthcare personnel and Practice of endoscopy during COVID-19 pandemic, the China Economic Net reported on April 16. 

Zhao Jun further mentioned that the medical staff of Jiangsu Province Hospital acquired new experience during the battle against COVID-19, therefore they wish to help their Pakistani friends to tackle the pandemic and save lives. 

On top of knowledge sharing, medics from both the countries completed a remote consultation of a critically ill COVID-19 patient in Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar. 

Prof Huang Mao, head of the Chinese government’s anti-epidemic medical team to Venezuela, and Prof. Li Jun, director of Jiangsu Province Hospital’s Department of Infectious Diseases also gave answers to questions raised by medics in Lady Reading Hospital on prevention, control and treatment of COVID-19 during conference. 

“With the rapid spread of COVID-19 worldwide, we are receiving more and more remote consultation invitations from overseas hospitals, which we take very seriously. We will help more overseas medical institutions via remote consultation platform by sharing experience, so as to combat the epidemic jointly,” Zhao Jun stated.

IMF agrees relief to Pakistan

By Masood Sattar Khan 
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has observed that Prime Minister Imran Khan’s appeal to the world yielded results to reschedule the loans as world particularly the developing countries were under enormous pressure. 

Talking to electronic media, the Foreign Minister revealed that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has agreed to reschedule the loan Pakistan obtained for one year that would be effective with immediate effect. 

He also disclosed having held talks with the Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, before the G-20 meeting as many counties were of the view that China and Russia could play significant role in loan rescheduling. 

Shah Mahmood said that his Chinese counterpart had given him the assurance of his country fully supporting the initiative of Pakistan’s Prime Minister. 

Claiming that the diplomacy was bringing in the results, he informed that China has also agreed to reschedule its loan, following adverse effects on economy due to Coronavirus.

‘Half of Pakistan population unaware of COVID-19 risks’

By Mukhtar Alam
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Though media was the major source of their information on coronavirus disease, half of the people lately surveyed by the Aga Khan University (AKU) research team in rural and urban were found unaware that diabetics, smokers and asthmatics were at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19. 

The AKU researchers, in a report released on April 15, disclosed that over 90 per cent of those surveyed knew that the elderly were at a relatively higher risk of complications from the disease, while only half of respondents were aware of other risk factors such as diabetes, smoking and asthma.

As many as 738 men and women were accessed in the rural and urban areas of Pakistan for the survey aimed at assessing the people’s knowledge about coronavirus symptoms, its mode of transmission and ways to protect oneself from the disease. 

About the sources of information about the coronavirus, the researchers said that as many as 49% of the people in question got their information from media, while another 29 per cent from social network, 13% from colleagues, five per cent from government organizations, three per cent from academic and training courses and one per cent from other sources. 

“Accurate information represents the first step in effectively protecting oneself and one’s loved ones from the disease. The majority of residents in the rural sample, 74%, also incorrectly believed mosquito bites to be a cause of COVID-19,” Professor Zafar Fatmi of AKU’s community health sciences department, stated. 

Less than one in 10 rural residents correctly identified being in crowded areas as a factor that left them more vulnerable to catching the coronavirus.

While the majority of respondents correctly recognized fever, coughing and a shortness of breath as signs of coronavirus, less than 1 in 3 respondents were aware of joint or muscle pain as being a symptom. Less than 1 in 4 knew that a person could be carrying the coronavirus without showing any signs or symptoms. 

The researchers also found a widespread belief in the myth that the coronavirus could be treated with existing medications. 

Even though there is no cure for the virus and only its symptoms can be treated, up to 60 per cent of urban Pakistanis incorrectly believed that pneumonia vaccines could protect them from the disease while 83 per cent or rural respondents asserted a myth that existing medicines can effectively treat the disease. Data from the study also highlights the need for more awareness of isolation practices. 

While nearly all respondents were aware that symptoms of the coronavirus last up to two weeks, only between 37% and 64% of those surveyed were aware that being in contact with someone with coronavirus must lead to a quarantine of up to 14 days. 

On a more positive note, there was widespread awareness of the importance of hand-washing, coughing into one’s elbow, and of maintaining distance from those who are coughing or sneezing. 

A majority of the participants (403) across Pakistan completed the online survey, while others (198) were interviewed by telephone in urban Karachi. Individuals who took part in door-step survey in rural Thatta numbered as 137. 

“We are working with partners to develop informative health awareness material on the virus that will be communicated through the sources that people trust,” Prof Dr Zafar Fatmi shared.

Sindh committee examines plasma therapy aspects

By Mukhtar Alam
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

A Sindh Health department committee constituted to examine the experimental use of plasma therapy in the case of COVID-19 patients in the province in future met, with provincial health minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho in chair, on April 15.

A source privy to the meeting said that it has been decided to set a relevant set of protocols, along with recommendations of the committee, which will be submitted to the Sindh Corona Task Force for consideration. 

Upon the approval of protocols by the task force, headed by the Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah, the scientists will be allowed to carry out any experimental use of COVID-19 convalescent plasmas for the passive of immunization in the province and country, added the source, informing that the experiments may be carried out at the National Institute of Blood Diseases, Dow University of Health Sciences Hospital and the Aga Khan University Hospital. 

The meeting was told that the National Bioethics Committee Pakistan has cleared the plasma therapy project in question for a period of one year, while the Drug Regulatory of Pakistan in order to protect the coronavirus patients has approved the clinical trial with the title “Experimental use of COVID-19 convalescent plasma for the purpose of passive immunization in current Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.” 

The health department’s committee, which was supposed to study and evaluate the practicality of the process in view of local circumstances, will meet again soon. The department has co-opted a couple of more experts in the committee, it was learnt. 

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho said that the experimental clinical trial will reveal the benefits and adverse impacts to the world. 

She expressed the hope that scientists will get plasma from the cured coronavirus patients in adequate quantity in the shortest possible time and use that to save the lives of an optimum number of patients. 

She also called for providing guidance to the heads, focal persons of the government designated centre for corona diseases treatment and physicians who treat the corona infection diseases. “They should be informed of passive immunization procedure and guided about the correct use of the therapy duly.”

Coronavirus Update: Phenomenal rise in Sindh

By Mukhtar Alam
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Sindh, which has entered an extended phase of lockdown until April 30, reported another 150 new cases of coronavirus on April 15, its highest one day tally since February 26 when the first corona patient of Sindh was identified at Karachi. 

According to official data, with six new corona related deaths Sindh’s toll increased to 41 against Pakistan’s 111 deaths among 6,383 infected patients. Earlier Sindh had shown phenomenal increase on March 16 and March 19 with 116 and 119 new cases respectively. 

Expressing concern at a press conference over the increasing rate of coronavirus infections in the province, the Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah, vowed for further tightening of the corona lockdown in Sindh. 

He announced that, although some sectors may enjoy the exceptional relaxation in line with the federal government’s policy, Sindh will at the same time expect the strict compliance of standard operating procedures from them, including the construction sector.

Sindh’s six latest deaths included a women living at Sukkur, while remaining five deaths took place at Karachi. 

The official summary of corona cases, however, did not reveal the gender or age of the six people dying of corona. 

In all 94 new cases were reported from Karachi, while 20 from Hyderabad, 28 from Shaheed Benazirabad, seven from Naushshro Feroze and one from Sukkur. Sindh has reported a total of 1,668 confirmed corona positive cases: Karachi (1,097), Sukkur (274), Hyderabad (196), Shaheed Benazirabad (36), Larkana (17), Khairpur (14), Tando Mohammad Khan (12), Naushshro Feroze (11), Jamshoro (2), Sujawal (2), Sanghar (2), Ghotki (2), Dadu (1), Jacobabad (1) and Badin (1). 

As many as 271 patients recovered from the diseases at Sukkur, while 181 at Karachi, 108 at Hyderabad so far, according to Sindh health department report, which added that as many as 16,026 people were tested against the diseases, while the overall rate of infection came as 10.40% and rate of mortality due to infection was 2.45 per cent. 

In the meantime, Sindh Health minister, Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, along with Provincial Health Secretary, Zahid Abbasi, visited Karachi airport to examine the preventive arrangements made three in the wake of the expected arrival of Pakistani expatriates. The minister directed the health department staff to stay vigilant and ensure a fool proof screening of the travelers coming back.

Nisar Memon regrets confusion in handling COVID-19

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services) 

Senator Nisar Memon has regretted that while COVID-19 was rebooting the global systems needing united national front to fight this war, the leadership in charge of the country was sending confused signals at this crucial juncture.

“The federal government did not recognize the Sindh government initiative of lockdown, and gave lukewarm support to Baluchistan on Iranian border, a major entry point of virus in the country. While Islamabad was in denial mode for lockdown, its Punjab and KPK governments followed Sindh in lockdown but late with enfeeble enforcement and now going with partial lockdown,” he wrote in a recent newspaper article 

“Lastly, it engaged in creating its party marketing brand of ‘Tigers Relief Force’ instead of consolidating local governments through provincial administration for food distribution to needy. Suffice to say, the holders of highest state offices appear in disarray, dissipating national energies with impact on security and sovereignty of our motherland,” he remarked. 

“The government’s inability to handle wheat and sugar crises well in time and using it now to divert the nation from COVID-19, belie their claims of national interest to fight this pandemic to save people,” the former federal minister pointed out. 

“The citizens of all shades of opinion are openly expressing their disappointment while comparing responses to earthquake in 2005. Why so? Is it the quality of leadership compared to past; or the leadership has succumbed to be corrupted by prejudices, bias, hatred, narrow mindedness and immaturity in statecraft; or blinded by power and unable to clearly see the dangers of disunity with virus affecting their minds; or they are pursuing personal and not national goals; or worst, has some hidden agenda. As a lot is being talked about it we leave it to history to give its judgement,” he observed. 

“The crisis of leadership is now, with its consequences on our future generation, therefore it is prudent to fight all inimical forces as ONE by rebooting the minds. This should abet fight against COVID-19 as well as corruption, ignorance, illiteracy, poverty, colonial behaviors; all in the interest of our security and sovereignty,” he added. 

“Post COVID19; workers and industrialists should reset their minds with workers producing the best and industrialists providing workers fair compensation, welfare, safety and human rights. The peasants, office workers, house workers, mining workers, technicians, officers, management as well as investors must all reboot their minds to serve the country in best possible way. The political parties with their policies and programmes, government by executing national programs and policies, judiciary in providing inexpensive justice in accordance with law and constitution, and media continuing courageous impartial reporting and analysis to identify deviations,” he elaborated. 

“All who carry ultimate responsibility of governance system will do well to reboot the system as a whole. The military is committed to defend the country against all aggression and support civil authority when called in under the Constitution. On the other hand the political soldiers are duty bond to serve the people, through political system, uphold party principles and support leadership while ensuring reboot takes place for national unity in times of national emergencies like the present one,” the senator opined.

OPDs suspended in Karachi’s Malir district

By Mukhtar Alam
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The district administration of Karachi Malir on April 14 ordered immediate closure of outpatient departments in all the public and private hospitals and clinics within the district in the wake of increasing number of COVID-19 cases at UC 1 to 5 of Landhi till further order. 

Meanwhile the provincial health department data, released on April 14, revealed that there were 1,056 cases of coronavirus undergoing treatment in Sindh with the break-up being Karachi (819), Hyderabad (169), Larkana (16). Khairpur (14) and Tando Mohammad Khan (12) while there were 26 cases in other 10 districts. 

Until April 14, as many as 14,503 people were tested in Sindh, out of which 1,518 tested positive for the virus, out of which 35 lost their lives. A Sindh health department summary of cases said that in all 66 new cases were confirmed, all at Karachi. 

The authorities also confirmed four coronavirus related deaths in Karachi on April 14, two males aged 40 and 62 years, respectively, and two females aged 64 and 53, respectively, taking the provincial tally of corona deaths to 35.

Coronavirus Update: Lahore, Karachi on top

By Mukhtar Alam
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Karachi, with 1,003 confirmed cases, was the second city, after Lahore, in the context of coronavirus in the country having reported a total 5,837 cases so far, with 96 deaths. 

According to the federal government’s COVID-19 dashboard, updated at 5 pm on April 14, Lahore reported 20.35% cases of the country’s total, followed by Karachi (17.68%), Hyderabad (4.39%), D G Khan (4.37%), Gujrat (3.71%), Multan (3.42%), Rawalpindi (2.71%), Gujranwala (2.57%), Quetta (2.26%), Mardan (2.07%) and other cities including Sukkur of Sindh, with 275 cases (37.50%). 

Some observers have assessed that Karachi may see a significant increase in COVID-19 cases again, as the Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah in his morning video message on April 14, revealed that results of another about 1,700 samples, collected through mobile testing units, will be known by April 15. 

He shared that overall 427 people have recovered from the virus, while 671 were in the isolation at their homes, 58 at quarantine centres and 327 are being treated in different hospitals across the province.

Joint meeting review COVID-19 situation

By Mukhtar Alam
(Pakistan News & Features Services) 

The representatives of medical and law practitioners in Karachi on April 14 urged the government to expand corona screening and testing facilities to district level at the earliest.

They were jointly giving a press briefing about the existing conditions of healthcare workers in the context of coronavirus infection. 

They appeared highly concerned over the working conditions of doctors and their associates at hospitals and called upon the health authorities to ensure immediate provision of personal protective equipment (PPEs) for the doctors nurses, paramedics and sanitary workers engaged in providing assistance to COVID-19 affected people at various public and private sectors’ health facilities. 

The speakers represented the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), the Pakistan Islamic Medical Association, the Young Doctors’ Association (Sindh), the Young Nurses Association (Sindh), the Sindh Midwifery Association, the College of Family Medicine, the Sindh High Court Association and the Karachi Bar Association. 

Presenting a set of recommendations for the government, the leaders said that a mandatory and regular screening of healthcare providers handling the coronavirus confirmed patients should be done on a regular basis. 

They noted that ventilators should not be in the priority purchase list of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) rather resources should be used for expanding testing capacity and effective PPEs for healthcare workers. 

They recommended development of strict corona screening facilities at port of entry, quarantine centres and isolation centres, activation of network of community clinics, family physicians and registered general practitioners with proper PPEs and standing operating procedures. 

They suggested that the home isolation system should be promoted, with monitoring and reporting of data by registered general practitioners and community clinics. 

According to the doctors, specialty clinics and hospital outdoor patient departments (OPDs) should continue with emergency services only. 

Taking up the issue of lockdown, the speakers advised that only targeted and area specific lockdown, based on corona test results, should be done. 

The PMA Karachi President, Dr Sharif Hashmani, also made a presentation on usages of PPEs and face masks and other protective gears on the occasion.

Another Chinese doctors’ team due on April 17

By Masood Sattar Khan 
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Another team of Chinese doctors will be arriving Pakistan on April 17. The eight-member team of physicians will be coming over to help and share their expertise in coronavirus (COVID-19) with Pakistani counterparts. 

Meanwhile the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has granted permission to a special flight carrying Chinese doctors from Urunqi, a private television network reported on April 14. 

The special cargo plane will carry a team of eight Chinese doctors from Urumqi which will be landing at the Islamabad International Airport on April 17, whereas, the same flight will also uplift cargo on the return flight. 

The CAA, while granting permission for the landing of the aircraft, clarified that the disembarkation of cabin crew will not be allowed and all the prevailing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) relating to international flights to be followed. 

This will be the second batch of Chinese team arriving Pakistan. Earlier, a team of Chinese doctors had undertaken a visit Pakistan for around two weeks during which they had consultations with local healthcare specialists in the light of their experience and success in curbing COVID-19 in China. 

Before returning to China on April 10, the team members had also called on President Dr Arif Alvi, who eulogized the all-weather Pakistan-China friendship.The Chinese doctors also visited provincial capitals of Punjab and Sindh where they held meetings with Chief Ministers besides other dignitaries and health officials.