Celebrate independence in good health

Independence Day this year is like no other. Given how the country has just started to emerge from one of the worst health crises the world has ever seen, for many, there is one more reason to celebrate the day with much gusto.

But as we rejoice and revel in celebration this August 14, it is important we spare a thought for the sacrifices our frontline healthcare workers made in seeing us through the Covid-19 pandemic. And with the threat still lingering, prominent healthcare professionals say there is no better way to honour the role they played than to observe caution and take all precautions against the novel coronavirus.

“This Independence Day, we will renew our resolve to work towards bring stability, prosperity and development to the nation,” said Grand Health Alliance Patron-in-Chief Dr Atif Hameed Chaudhry. “As many as 105 of our fellow medical fraternity members were martyred in the line of duty this year while trying treat Covid-19 patients. All of us medical professionals will always remember their services and will be ever ready to serve on the forefront whenever the country needs us,” he told The Express Tribune.

Talking about August 14 celebrations, Dr Chaudhry said medical professionals in all four provinces would offer prayers for both the victims of Covid-19 and the healthcare workers who lost their lives trying to save them.

“Wherever any of us may be, we are united under Pakistan’s flag and will do our utmost to project the best image for our country,” Dr Chaudhry added. “Us medical professionals will always be dedicated to allay the suffering of our fellow citizens.”

For Dr Tahir Shamsi, who heads the National Institute of Blood Disease, the beauty of celebrating August 14 has doubled due to Covid-19 numbers drastically going down in the country. “No doubt, the biggest joy for us this Independence Day is that the novel coronavirus is disappearing from Pakistan,” he said. Dr Shamsi lauded the steps taken by the government, saying it was a critical factor in the significant decline in cases.

Pakistan Infection Control Society President Dr Rafiq Khanani too agreed that Independence Day this year had a special significance due to Pakistan’s success in seeing the pandemic through. However, he urged his fellow citizens to continue observing all precautions and standard operating procedures to ensure the success is permanent. “It is true that the spread of Covid-19 has gone down by as much as 80 per cent in the country, but to think the pandemic is over would be folly,” he said. “There are many reasons for the decline, but the most important are the social measures which the government encouraged us into adopting. We have to continue following them and get others who don’t to follow as well.”

In particular, Dr Khanani urged people to continue using masks. “Now that the lockdown has been lifted, the risk of spread will increase as well. The only way to reduce this risk is by using masks,” he said. “I also urge all organisations to take strict precautionary measures to make sure the sacrifices of medical professionals were not in vain,” he added.