World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has once again praised Pakistan for successfully suppressing coronavirus cases in the country, appreciating how Pakistan had reinforced the lesson that saving the economy and fighting the virus could go “hand-in-hand.” The chief further acknowledged and reinforced PM Khan’s policy to balance life and livelihood as the country combatted the disease.
After successfully having imposed lockdowns in March, the country saw a steady decline in coronavirus cases since early June. This allowed Pakistan to reopen nearly all sectors of the economy just last month. Restaurants, Gyms, Salons, wedding halls as well and universities and schools were finally permitted to open in September.
Minister for School Education @DrMuradPTI visited various Public & Private Schools in Lahore to monitor compliance of COVID-19 safety protocols and SOPs/guidelines issued by SED.@GOPunjabPK pic.twitter.com/8DkngbcQH7
— School Education Punjab (@SchoolEduPunjab) September 30, 2020
The WHO chief, in an op-ed on Tuesday, discussed in detail the international efforts towards fighting the pandemic, remarking that “there are glimmers of hope that encourage us now and in the near future”.
While identifying Pakistan’s battle with the pandemic, Dr Tedros said the country deployed the infrastructure it built up over the many years for polio to combat COVID-19.
Read more: UNGA President-elect Bozkir: Pakistan’s COVID-19 response good example for world
Echoing PM Imran Khan’s policy of balancing life and livelihood, the WHO chief said, “the choice is not between controlling the virus or saving the economy; the two go hand-in-hand”.
“Pakistan deployed the infrastructure built up over many years for polio to combat Covid-19. Community health workers who have been trained to go door-to-door vaccinating children against polio have been redeployed and utilized for surveillance, contact tracing and care,” Ghebreyesus said in an op-ed in The Independent. “This has suppressed the virus so that, as the country stabilizes, the economy is also now picking up once again. Reinforcing the lesson that the choice is not between controlling the virus or saving the economy; the two go hand-in-hand.”
Per Arab News, as of Wednesday, Pakistan has registered 312,263 infections, 6,479 deaths and 296,881 recoveries. “Though testing has been relatively low, the recorded drop in infections is supported by the decreasing proportion of tests that come back positive, as well as dwindling hospital admissions”, claims the publication.
Read more: The greatest mystery of our times: How did Pakistan contain the coronavirus?
Epidemiologists have said the principal reason for the decline is Pakistan’s young population. “The average age in Pakistan is 22 years, compared to about 41 in the UK. The vast majority of deaths globally from the coronavirus have been of elderly patients”, claims Arab News.
Dr Tedros further noted how the strategy, as adopted by PM Khan, has worked well for Pakistan in suppressing the virus. He also recognised that the Pakistani economy is also picking up once more.
Second consecutive month that the current account balance is surplus total amounting to $ 805 million. This reflects good economic & financial management of the federal government. @ImranKhanPTI economic policies showing positive results.
— Imran Ismail (@ImranIsmailPTI) September 23, 2020
“Pakistan’s coronavirus cases have reached 312,263 with 747 new cases in the last 24 hours while the death toll is at 6,497” comments the National Command and Operations Centre, which is responsible for overseeing the country’s coronavirus policy.
Pakistan, like other countries around the world, experienced disruptions to health services due to #COVID19. During #UNGA, we add our voice to say, investing in routine immunisation is the most cost-effective way to strengthen primary health care systems. Leave no one behind. pic.twitter.com/2SUHDjJ6b3
— WHO Pakistan (@WHOPakistan) September 23, 2020
According to The News International, PM Imran’s advisor, Senator Faisal Javed responded to the remarks by claiming that “this is the endorsement of the prime minister’s vision who has always talked about the common people”.
WHO DG @DrTedros yet again praises Pak on it's strategy that has suppressed the virus so that, as the country stabilises, the economy is also now picking up once again.Reinforcing the lesson tht the choice is not btw controlling virus or saving economy; the two go hand-in-hand
— Faisal Javed Khan (@FaisalJavedKhan) September 30, 2020
“This is what PM Imran Khan has been saying from day one. Along with tackling Coronavirus we need to get the economy running, control the Hunger, ensure relief to weaker segments of society, especially, labour, daily-wager class and common people remain top priority.”
This is what PM Imran Khan has been saying from day one. Along with tackling Coronavirus we need to get the Economy running, control the Hunger, ensure relief to weaker segments of society, especially, labour, daily-wager class and common people remained top priority.
— Faisal Javed Khan (@FaisalJavedKhan) September 30, 2020