Three Pakistanis in China cured of virus: embassy

PM directs FO, Overseas Pakistanis ministry to assist students stuck in Wuhan

The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan on Wednesday said the three Pakistani nationals, who were diagnosed with novel coronavirus in the country, have been cured.

In a tweet, the mission said: “We are pleased to learn that 3 Pakistani citizens affected by Coronavirus in China have been cured and discharged from hospitals in Guangzhou and Shenzhen of Guangdong Province. All the best to them! Thank you, medical team in China!”

We are pleased to learn that 3 Pakistani citizens affected by Coronavirus in China have been cured and discharged from hospitals in Guangzhou and Shenzhen of Guangdong Province. All the best to them! Thank you, medical team in China!@zfrmrza @AmbNaghmanaHash

— Chinese Emb Pakistan (@CathayPak) February 12, 2020

The embassy tagged Ambassador of Pakistan to China Naghmana Hashmi and Special Assistant to the PM on Health Services Dr Zafar Mirza in its tweet.

Reacting to the development, Dr Mirza tweeted: “I am pleased to confirm that Alhamdolilah our four students that had developed coronavirus disease in China are now fully recovered and today they have been discharged from the hospital. 98% of all coronavirus confirmed patients fully recover.”

Last month, Dr Mirza confirmed that four Pakistani students in China have tested positive for the coronavirus – COVID-19. The disclosure came two days after a group of Pakistani students made an impassioned appeal in a video clip for their evacuation from Wuhan.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has also issued instructions to the authorities concerned to assist the Pakistani students stuck in Wuhan.

“I have issued instructions to our Foreign Office and Overseas Ministry to do everything possible for our students who are stuck in Wuhan city,” he tweeted.

According to official figures, there are 500 to 800 registered Pakistanis studying in various universities of Wuhan – the city of 11 million people which has been quarantined by the Chinese authorities in an effort to stem the spread of the deadly virus.

He added: “Pakistan stands with the people & government of China in their difficult & trying time and it will always stand by them. We will be extending every material & moral support to China just as China has always stood by us during all our times of trial and tribulation.”

Moreover, the foreign ministry on Feb 11 said that four Pakistani students infected with coronavirus in China were recovering fast and were expected to be discharged from hospital soon.

“Pakistani council in China is fully in contact with the virus-infected students,” said a report of the foreign ministry about Pakistanis living in China after the outbreak of Coronavirus.

The document stated out of nearly 28,000 Pakistani students in China, most of them were living with their families with a majority studying doctorate.

“The Chinese foreign minister has assured to provide full care to Pakistani students,” the report said.

“Pakistani embassy in Beijing is providing all kinds of information to Pakistani students in a timely manner. Complaints about medicines, food supplies, visa problems and financial aid are being received,” it added.