Dr Sami Ullah
THERE is very complex philosophy of human biology but immune system and nervous system are playing the key role in daily routine functioning. Most common characteristics of both systems is to transmit information to distinct parts of the body with extraordinary specificity and diversity. This immune system starts developing from the early days of life to the childhood and contributes in the performance throughout life by enhancing the power for fight against any disease. Immune system is important in health perspectives for the last many centuries but a common man is attracted for the awareness after the COVID-19 pandemic from early 2020. World health practitioners are convinced on single point that anyone can fight COVID-19 by strengthening the immune system in the body and is considered as the best coping strategy.
As the COVID-19 hit and locked down more than 200 economies throughout the globe, irrespective of geographical location. This pandemic put psychological pressure on the people because it hit the globe very severely and even the intensity was higher than the Great Depression of 1930s. The human fatality rate was much higher in developed countries as compared with developing ones and there are plenty of causes behind this discrimination. The main cause behind recovery and fatality is the immune system of the people in specific regions. There is very minor risk of fatality for highly immune people living in any part of the globe and vice versa. In early childhood, the immunization process can play the leading role in immunity development throughout life. During the time of COVID-19 crisis, Pakistan is considered as the best example for successfully tackling the tough time and many of the global institutes are working on identifying the factors behind this achievement. In Pakistan, majority of the deaths were caused by the people with any sort of chronic disease or age factor and total fatality number just crossed the 5000 which is the lowest number as compared with any other diseases. Even the number of deaths during road accidents crossed 35000 in the last year which is much higher than the COVID-19 fatality rate in Pakistan.
The main cause of this achievement is the strong immune system of our people and there are certain contributing factors behind it. Firstly, Pakistan has a widespread immunization network from early childhood and is free of cost under the guidelines of WHO. Secondly, majority of the population is Muslim and they are regularly eating Halal food which is another important factor of immunity development. Thirdly, the people in developing countries are hard working and they have tough working conditions which made them strong muscularly. Fourthly, they are living in a diversified seasonal environment with lacking in basic facilities, they can easily manage the 40-degree temperature and above with load shedding. All these are the factors of human immunity development and they are very strong with the power to fight with any disease or virus easily.
Globally, many of the Pakistani paramedical staff members are working and they have observed the lowest risk/fatality among the Pakistani workers as the front-line soldiers for COVID-19. After these statistics, policy makers of developed countries are convinced that Pakistani workers are more safe and secure during the crisis. They are also planning to hire more people from here for meeting the future needs of skilled personnel. After such initiatives for Pakistani workers in overseas labour market, the repute of our country could be developed and lead the economy toward sustainability in near future. This step will also be helpful in generating the employment for uneducated and semi-skilled workers.
Pakistan is earning the significant amount of worker’s remittances and crossed the number of US$ 19 billion in last year which further contributes in developmental expenditure and balance of payments. The COVID-19 hits badly the global economies but unveil the potential of Pakistan and globe is convinced by the hidden momentum of our working age population. Hoping this potential will be polished by institutional support and engage our youth in the developed economies for earnings and skill development. This initiative can easily contribute to enhancing the worker remittances for the sustainability of Pakistan. There is a need of the day to convince the global community that Pakistan has the best youth with the strong immunity for fighting any sort of crisis. If our government engages the media, policy makers, academicians and diplomats for unveiling the potential of our people on each aspect of development, then there is no barrier in the way of prosperity.
—The writer is Assistant Professor in Economics, University of Gujrat, Pakistan.
