PMA urges people to follow SOPs

The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) on Monday urged people to adopt preventive measures by wearing mask and maintaining social distancing to contain the spread of novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

"We warned that Covid-19 cases could increase during Ramazan if SOPs are not followed," PMA Central Secretary General Dr SM Qaisar Sajjad said addressing a press conference at PMA House.

"PMA fears that if people do not take the appropriate measures, the number of cases and deaths could increase and festivities of upcoming Eid could turn pale," he said.

People gather at restaurants at Sehri and Iftar without adopting SOPs, Sajjad said adding that the government should implement SOPs strictly.

Adopting SOPs will prevent the spread of the pandemic and businesses will stay open, otherwise the government will be compelled to impose lockdown, he said.

The PMA secretary general said that vaccine is the most protective shield against Covid-19, PMA advises people to get vaccinated as soon as possible. PMA demanded the government to increase the vaccination facilities to vaccinate more people in a shorter time. At least 70 -75% of the population of Pakistan should be vaccinated as early as possible. PMA requested the government and all the political parties to join hands for saving the lives of the people and form a uniform policy to curtail coronavirus.

PMA is very thankful to Asad Umar, Head of National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) and Dr Faisal Sultan, Special Assistant to PM on Health for restoring the priority registration of healthcare workers on request of the association.

"We are also thankful to Sindh Health Minister D Azra Fazal Pechuho for establishing a corona vaccination center for healthcare workers at PMA House Karachi. We are also thankful to DHO South and his team for making all arrangements to run this centre. We also request doctors and other Healthcare workers to come to PMA House Karachi for vaccination from 10 am to 02 pm daily except Friday and Sunday," the secretary-general of PMA said.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 27^th, 2021.