Why the Public Health Emergency Extension for 90 Days Is Necessary
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the world, countries are implementing different measures to mitigate the spread of the virus. Some countries are enforcing mandatory lockdowns, others are relying on mass testing, while some have resorted to imposing curfews. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11th, 2020, and since then, the virus has continued to threaten the health and wellbeing of people across the globe.
That said, countries are constantly reviewing their strategies to cope with the pandemic and mitigating its effects. Recently, the government of Pakistan extended the ongoing public health emergency by 90 days, and this article explores why this extension is necessary.
The State of COVID-19 in Pakistan
Pakistan’s situation regarding COVID-19 is not as dire as that of other countries such as India, Brazil, and the United States. That notwithstanding, Pakistan has recorded over 1.2 million cases, with 27,000 deaths as of June 2021. The government’s efforts have helped keep the virus at bay, but the country still faces many challenges.
Low testing capacity, vaccine skepticism, and lack of adherence to SOPs are some of the significant issues Pakistan faces in the fight against COVID-19. Additionally, the country’s healthcare system is already overburdened, with limited resources at its disposal, making it challenging to contain the virus’s spread.
Why the Extension is Necessary
The extension of the public health emergency is necessary for several reasons. Firstly, it will allow the government to continue its efforts in mitigating the spread of the virus. This will involve enforcing strict SOPs to slow down the spread of the virus, such as mandatory mask-wearing, reduced intercity transport, and limited public gatherings.
Secondly, the extension will enable the government to boost its testing and contact tracing capacity. As mentioned earlier, Pakistan has struggled with low testing capacity throughout the pandemic. The extension of the public health emergency will allow the government to ramp up its testing capacity and contact tracing efforts, helping to track down people who may have come into contact with infected individuals.
Thirdly, the extension will allow the government to vaccinate more citizens against COVID-19. Vaccinations have proven to be an effective tool in containing the pandemic, and the government has already vaccinated over ten million people. The extension will allow the vaccination drive to continue unimpeded, helping to build herd immunity and possibly staving off a third wave of infections.
Conclusion
Pakistan, like other countries worldwide, is still grappling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the situation is relatively stable, it is still essential to take precautions to prevent further infections and deaths. The extension of the public health emergency in Pakistan for 90 days is necessary as it will allow the government to continue its efforts in mitigating the spread of the virus, boosting testing and contact tracing capacity, and vaccinating more citizens. It is equally essential for the public to continue adhering to the SOPs laid out by the government to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.
