ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan was lucky that it was not seriously affected by the first two waves of coronavirus. However, this created a sense of complacency in both the government and the general public. The third wave, as we know, is much deadlier and also spreads at a faster rate. It needs to be tackled urgently.
The vaccination process is extremely slow as the public sector health infrastructure has deteriorated over the years and is unable to deal with this disease, while the private sector uses every opportunity to profit from people’s misery. To speed up the vaccination process, the armed forces should immediately be involved as this is a national emergency. They have the expertise as well as the manpower and resources to assist in this drive. In this regard, army hospitals should also be involved in the vaccination process. Apart from this, small field hospitals would prove helpful and can be established in stadiums and playgrounds. It is equally necessary to order reputable private hospitals to assist in this national calamity free of cost, even if that requires imposing a national health emergency.
Perhaps the worst role is being played by opposition parties who are busy finding fault with the government strategy instead of offering assistance where possible. Unless we all get together and put concerted efforts to ameliorate the situation, we may all suffer and regret the consequences of this deadly disease.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 12th, 2021.
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