Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad
NEARLY about a year ago, on 31 December 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) was formally notified about a cluster of cases of pneumonia in Wuhan City, home to 11 million people and the cultural and economic hub of central China. By 05 January, 59 cases were known and none had been fatal. Ten days later, WHO was aware of 282 confirmed cases, of which four were in Japan, South Korea and Thailand. The cause of the severe acute respiratory syndrome that became known as COVID-19 was a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. The rest is history, albeit history that is constantly being rewritten: As of today, total of 80 million cases of COVID-19 have been reported and around 1.8 million deaths worldwide. The COVID situation was smartly handled by the Pakistani Federal and Provincial Governments and the idea of complete lockdown in end of 20 March and by 20 September the smart lockdown effectively brought the COVID-19 cases to almost negligible. Though the Federal and Provincial Governments were asking the people to remain careful however, people were of the view that our resilience in every matter has beaten this virus too.
23 November 2020, a usual day to attend office, and then went as a chief guest in a local function and mingled up. The spirited and smiling guests took selfies and under social pressure for being honoured by my Rajpoot community took the mask off and enjoyed the time forgetting that COVID is still around and silently working among us. The next day felt little down, so did not attend the office and thought to take rest and in the evening had a slight cough which I attributed to walk in the cold weather. However, the cough increased which gave a clear indication of a case of COVID-19. In majority of the cases, COVID-19 is like a normal virus, it does not impact, but for remaining it is a call of seriousness and may bring an end to this precious life. The cough and weakness was taken seriously by the family especially my daughters and sons in laws and was admitted to the Military Hospital (MH). Firstly to know the damage visited the emergency, greeted by the smart doctors, well disciplined and in a few minutes they were of the opinion that I have to be admitted immediately. In another few minutes, damage was assessed and I felt that I am in a battle zone, and COVID-19 is around the borders and in fact inside the territory and our brave soldiers are around to defend and beat this enemy.
The COVID-19 not only attacks the immune system but just like the Genghis Khan it has a psychological impact as well. We all believe that our lives are with the will of Allah and between life and death a trained battery of defenders led by General Mahmood and General Waseem Alamghir were between life and invisible deadly COVID. Each member of their team was brilliant, professional; monitoring and checking round the clock. It was quite disturbing when after five days the COVID-19 test came positive again, however, I must appreciate that at this time the whole team including Brigadier Arshad Naseem, Brigadier Shazia, Brigadier Khalid Raja and Major Naghmana Akhtar, Captain Hamza, Captain Fahad and Dr Khizer supported and under the General Waseem Alamghir’s recommendation the medicines were changed.
They doubled their efforts to save their patient and importantly all the time asking how is the morale, just like I am another soldier fighting the enemy. Similar to combat departments, the entire MH from the testing laboratories to emergency station to wards, everything is so neat and clean and also disciplined. 24 hours a day, there was not a single moment when you feel alone at MH. After having treatment for 12 days, I was discharged with the advice to continue the quarantine for next two weeks and after having test on 23 December for the third time, by the grace of Allah, the test was negative. The Medical Board reviewed the medicines and treatment is likely to continue for another month or so to restore the immune system and recovery from the virus. I want to express my deep gratitude for the warriors at MH hospital that my heart is full of praise for the defenders of lives either at borders or hospitals. I am also thankful to General Bajwa for letting me get treated at this prestigious place. I am thankful to my friends and relatives for prayers and words of encouragement at that difficult time. I would only request the people of Pakistan that a slight moment of carelessness would take you to the brink of end of life, therefore, wear mask and stay safe.
—The writer is former Federal Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan and currently Chairman National Democratic Foundation.
