A suspected case of coronavirus has been reported in Pakistan after a Pakistani student returned from China.
As per media reports, a resident of Khairpur, Sindh, Shahzaib Ali Rahu that had reached Karachi via Qatar from China, was cleared at the Karachi International airport during the Coronavirus scanning but his condition has deteriorated and symptoms of coronavirus have been diagnosed in him.
Brother of China-return student suffering from flue, fever and nose-bleeding appeals for medical aidhttps://t.co/o75gA2NfVt pic.twitter.com/43P2UMmz1i
— The Express Tribune (@etribune) February 3, 2020
“He was experiencing a headache, flu and cough when he reached Qatar,” said his elder brother, Irshad Ali. Adding that, “He took some medicine to relieve the symptoms and was able to reach the village safely.”
Irshad Ali informed that his brother “was absolutely fine during the screening because he had already taken the medicine,” he explained. “But when he got home, he had fever, flu, cough and fatigue.”
He was taken to Civil Hospital on Monday when his nose started bleeding. Shahzaib’s suspicious case has caused panic and fear in his village. Shahzaib’s brother claimed his brother is not being treated properly despite orders from the Sindh Health Minister.
Dr. Zafar Mirza, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan on National Health Services took to Twitter to inform people that the returned Pakistanis were screened at airports and the passengers interviewed
On suspicion of coronavirus in Shahzaib, the doctors and paramedic staff at Civil Hospital Pirjo Goth refused to give him treatment and left the ward.
Doctors said that they neither have any treatment for the disease nor any testing kits.
Owing to lack of treatment facilities in Sindh, Shahzaib tried to go to Islamabad but while on Multan toll Plaza, a heavy contingent of the police force sent back him to Sindh.
Read more: China in praises for Pakistani doctor volunteering to fight Coronavirus
Shahzaib was shifted to Gumbant hospital in Khairpur where his condition is still unstable.
Shahzaib was receiving his education at a chinese university for the last 5 months but fell ill at Qatar Airport after a successful Coronavirus scanning in China.
Shahzaib and his brother have also shared a video on social media on his case.
Meanwhile, Pakistanis stranded in coronavirus-struck China have been attempting to flee home. A group of 143 passengers from China arrived on Monday morning in Islamabad.
While the government of Pakistan states that no case has been reported in the country, they also decided not to evacuate Pakistani students and citizens from China as a precautionary move to deter the spread of plague coronavirus in Pakistan
After halting flight operations to China, Pakistan announced to resume its flights yesterday. The resumption of flights to China came a day after Pakistan presented thousands of coronavirus screening kits.
Dr. Zafar Mirza, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan on National Health Services took to Twitter to inform people that the returned Pakistanis were screened at airports and the passengers interviewed.
“At all airports, screening systems have been strengthened. The Pakistani government is prepared for any emergency,” Mirza said, adding, “The health department has the facilities for detecting coronavirus cases.
India and Afghanistan are evacuating students from Wuhan, China. Why isn’t Pakistan? https://t.co/B0mVSGZyMM
— Benazir Shah (@Benazir_Shah) January 29, 2020
“At all airports, comprehensive screening arrangements are available.”
Among the 143 Pakistanis returned home were 40 students. The Pakistani students were examined on airports by the medical team and allowed to go home upon clearance.
While the government of Pakistan states that no case has been reported in the country, they also decided not to evacuate Pakistani students and citizens from China as a precautionary move to deter the spread of plague coronavirus in Pakistan.
Read more: Coronavirus: Pakistan decides not to repatriate its citizens from China
The government of Pakistan had decided not to evacuate its citizens from China to ebb the spread of deadly epidemic coronavirus as per the WHO and China’s policy. As per the details, nearly 500 students are locked in at Wuhan – the epicenter of coronavirus and nearly 20,000 to 30,000 Pakistanis are currently present in China, most of them students.
“We believe it’s in the interest of our loved-ones in China [to stay there]. It’s in the larger interest of the region, the world, and the country that we don’t evacuate them now,” Dr. Zafar Mirza, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on National Health Service in a pressor on Thursday in Islamabad.