WHO country representative visits Karachi airport to ascertain screening arrangements

Dr Palitha is said to visit several major health facilities in Karachi to ensure their preparedness for COVID-19

World Health Organisation’s country representative to Pakistan Dr Palitha Gunarathna Mahipala late Thursday night visited the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi and expressed satisfaction over the screening arrangements of passengers travelling from abroad, amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.

“I have spent almost an hour at the Karachi International Airport and I’m quite satisfied with the screening arrangements at the airport. There are two setups for screening and they are quite satisfactory. I have given some suggestions to authorities but overall I’m satisfied with the arrangements”, she said.

The WHO’s country representative visited screening points at the international arrival, met with health staff and airport officials and lauded their efforts for preventing the entry of suspected COVID-19 patients.

WHO representative in Karachi Dr Sara Salman and Sindh health department officials also accompanied Dr Palitha as he visited the screening checks of both the Sindh health department, as well as the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad. She lauded the staff for their preparedness and efforts to control the spread of the virus.

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He examined an extended isolation facility established in tents at the Jinnah International Airport and was hopeful that it would keep the suspected coronavirus passengers in isolation until they are transported to the hospitals for tests and treatment.

The WHO representative said there was no need to quarantine suspected patients, adding that isolation rooms should be established at airports – from where patients could be transported to hospitals for testing.

WHO officials confirmed that Dr Palitha would visit several major health facilities in Karachi to ensure their preparedness for the virus.

In addition, he will hold meetings with provincial health authorities including the Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho and Secretary Health Zahid Ali Abbasi.

WHO officials also maintained that the tea in Pakistan is helping local authorities and health authorities deal with the threat of the novel coronavirus. They have provided personal protective equipment (PPE), resources and training to control the outbreak.