Mpox alert

In 2022, WHO declared the monkeypox outbreak a global health emergency. The disease is usually transmitted from animals to humans with cases found close to tropical rainforests but can also spread from humans to humans. WHO renamed the disease to mpox to avoid stigmatisation stemming from the disease’s earlier name. Last year, several countries reported mpox cases raising global alarm. A few days ago, Pakistan reported the first official case of mpox at Islamabad airport.

This is particularly concerning as our healthcare system has already suffered severe blows in the form of the Covid pandemic and the floods last year. The country is constantly battling one disease outbreak after another, which has been exemplified by the surge in malaria cases in the flood-hit regions of the country. A widespread mpox outbreak can potentially cripple the healthcare infrastructure and result in catastrophic scenes. Therefore, the National Command and Operation Centre’s prompt response to set up a control room to deal with mpox cases across the country is a timely move to reduce misinformation and panic among the public.

High poverty levels, unhygienic living conditions coupled with poor healthcare provision have amplified Pakistan’s health challenges. Health authorities have announced plans to provide protective equipment to all airports and set up isolation wards for suspected mpox patients in hospitals in major cities. Alongside this, people must be urged to return to following Covid protocols including social distancing and wearing masks in public. This is particularly important because the disease does not have any anti-viral treatment or vaccine at present. Frequent global disease outbreaks are sounding alarm bells over the need to reform our healthcare infrastructure. All stakeholders must realise the need to strengthen the healthcare system through investments as well as improving availability and accessibility across the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 27^th, 2023.

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