Sadaf Liaqat
COVID-19 wreaked havoc around the globe and reminded us of the fragility of the world we live in. The governments tried hard to find methods to control and prevent the ravages of infectious respiratory disease, Corona. WHO is at the helm of such activities, underpinning the concerted efforts to slow down its transmission within the communities and reduce mortality associated with COVID. Timely, WHO discerned the harrowing repercussions of this humanitarian global crisis on mortals, therefore, accelerating its efforts to control and mitigate Corona impact.
It established platforms for research, knowledge sharing and innovation to ensure coordination across stakeholders and to develop medical countermeasures. Since its onset in the last February in Pakistan, WHO initiated an Incident Management Structure with the engagement of relevant ministries to support and monitor preparedness and response activities.It assisted the government in various areas such as coordination and planning, case management, disease surveillance, diagnosis and laboratory, community mobilization and sensitization to curtail the spread of the coronavirus. WHO adopted a strategy based on risk, capacity and vulnerability of the Pakistani community to combat deadly Corona. It implemented Risk Communication and Community plan, mobilized communities to limit exposure to COVID 19 and engaged through participatory two-way communication efforts with affected and at-risk communities throughout Pakistan.
National Health-care workers our front line warriors fiercely waged the war against the coronavirus since its emergence in China last December. This pandemic brought them in a complex situation where they faced hard choices. They did not risk only their lives but of their loved ones, family, relatives, neighbours and community. But Health Workers rose to the occasion and realized their responsibility toward humanity. They stood steadfast in their frontline positions, performed their duties with courage and won plaudits for the handling of the outbreak. WHO realized the critical role of health providers and practitioners as they are the beacon of hope for many who are in despair due to pandemic.
WHO introduced interim guidance “Infection prevention and control during health-care when novel coronavirus infection is suspected’’ intended for health-care workers, health-care managers and IPC teams. WHO commenced various programmes to train staff on the use of Personal Protective Equipment at POEs, quarantine and isolation facilities. WHO guided standard precaution, contact and droplet precautions. WHO conducted training for health-care staff at major hospitals on case management protocols, IPC and waste disposal. It trained surveillance focal persons and the health-care providers at the sentinel site on case definitions, data collection, reporting referral SOPs and field safety measures. It organised training for laboratory staff on COVID-19 diagnostics, quality and bio risk management. It supported simulation exercises, mock drills, monitoring and evaluation to combat the scourge of the Corona.
WHO joined hands with Pakistan’s Ministry of Health Services, Regulation and Coordination (M&NHSRC) and chalked out “We Care” campaign to protect the frontline healthcare workers and clinicians engaged in the COVID-19 pandemic response. In May, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health, Dr Zafar Mirza launched it at a ceremony held at the National Command and Control Centre (NCOC) in Islamabad. The WR (Country Representative of WHO) Dr Palitha Mahipala and Dr Assad Hafeez, the Vice-Chancellor of the Health Services Academy signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the occasion in the presence of Dr Zafar Mirza and the virtual presence of all the provincial health ministers. Under the “We Care” Program WHO supported awareness programme in print media and developing of Instructional video on Donning & Doffing of PPEs for Healthcare Workers, practitioners and axillary staff. Further, the WHO and Health Ministry agreed to spread awareness about adopting safety measures through Radio for field level workers and the public to stop the transmission of deadly COVID-19 virus.
WHO Country Representative Pakistan Dr Palitha Mahipala and Incident Manager Dr Michael Lukwiya along with WHE (World Health Emergency) team visited the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital, Islamabad and met the Health Providers and staff. Dr Palitha applauded Health providers services and acknowledged their relentless fortitude and perseverance in these dark times. He presented flowers to revered heroes to show solidarity and gratitude for working round the clock to save communities. He donated dozens of personal protective equipment (PPE) kits for the personal protection of healthcare workers. Dr Palitha assured them of WHO continuous support to the government of Pakistan in combating the COVID-19 Pandemic. Corona is a global humanitarian crisis. An only integrated global response is the need of the hour to save the posterity from such pandemics. Certainly, WHO efforts in Pakistan deserved to be appreciated.
—The writer is Islamabad-based educationist providing consultation to different education systems in the country.
