Zubair Qureshi
The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad’s premiere health facility, has warned its employees who were registered for vaccination but are now reluctant that they can face disciplinary action if they don’t go for vaccination.
In a circular dated Feb 27 and signed by the Joint Executive Director (JED) Dr Minhajus Siraj, it has directed the PIMS’ “registered” employees not to hesitate any longer and get vaccinated as soon as they receive a message on their phones.
The office order has come in the backdrop of the fact that health workers in the federal capital are still reluctant to receive jabs despite the fact almost a month has passed since the arrival of vaccines.
Out of 8,000 doses not half have been utilized so far, admitted an official of the District Health department of Islamabad.
According to the estimates, there are around 7,000 health workers—doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, etc— in the federal capital but the average number of those getting vaccines a day is not more than 50.
Islamabad’s District Health Officer (DHO) Dr Zaeem Zia, Director General Health Dr Rana Muhammad Safdar and even Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Health Dr Faisal Sultan have got vaccinated and later reported in the media they were feeling quite well, yet the trend is quite low and alarming.
“At PIMS, we shall issue our staff explanation and show cause notices if they don’t receive jabs,” said Dr Minhaj.
There are a total 4,300 employees of the hospital but 2,200 are on coronavirus duties and we have asked them to get vaccinated, said Dr Minhaj.
Islamabad on Sunday reported 154 cases of COVID-19 but no death during the past twenty-four hours. With the latest number of fatalities, the federal capital’s cases have surged to 44,259 while the toll stands at 496.
The number of recoveries have also reached 41,995 and the health experts and doctors believe there would be a decline in the daily number of cases as well as deaths as temperatures are rising and vaccination of people is picking up in the federal capital.
With schools opening from Monday (today) to their regular 5-day-a-week schedule the health authorities are conscious and keeping an eye on the trend of virus.
“We have directed the schools under the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) to follow all the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to control, check and monitor the virus,” said an official of the Islamabad Capital Development Authority (ICT).
School administrations have been directed to ensure students, teachers and staff are wearing face masks, keeping distance and regularly sanitize/wash their hands, he further said.
In case of violation not only the schools will be closed down the head will also receive an official reprimand.
