Doctors call for stricter measures to curb spread of coronavirus as government eases lockdown

LAHORE: Health organisations across the country on Sunday urged for stricter measures to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus even as the federal government moves ahead with a plan to ease a virus lockdown in a phased manner, The News reported on Monday.

The health workers also called for an awareness campaign to warn people of the dangers associated with the virus and the precautions they could take to prevent contracting it. Officer bearers of several health bodies made the remarks at a press conference in Lahore on Sunday.

Representatives of the Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA), the Pakistan Academy of Family Physicians, the Pakistan Society of Gastroenterology (PSG), and the Young Doctors Association (YDA) were present at the Lahore Press Club in this regard. 

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'Need to be extremely careful, vigilant'

"The government's capacity to handle a large number of patients is known to all. In case of increase in the number of corona patients, the system will not be able to take care to all patients," a health professional told the journalists gathered at the press club.

“The government has relaxed lockdown. We need to be extremely careful and vigilant. We must prepare ourselves for the worst situation to come. We have always demanded compensation for all virus victims, including doctors, paramedics and healthcare providers," the professional added.

“We have been demanding PPEs [personal protective equipment] for our frontline soldiers. We demand Shuhada package/support money for the families of those who have lost their lives while fighting and saving lives of patients," the health professional maintained.

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'Lockdown should continue till cases slow down'

During the press conference, the doctors advised citizens to take the necessary precautions against the virus without worrying about social stigma. They highlighted that world health bodies had singled out lockdowns as the only effective preventive measure against the virus.

"Lockdown in other countries was relaxed when the number of cases was on the decline. In Pakistan, cases are increasing and any relaxation would result in rapid increase in number of patients. The lockdown should continue till the cases slow down," another health professional said.

“If the government does decide to relax the lockdown with the SOPs, it should take the responsibility to implement them too, as leaving it to the citizens is hardly expected to be successful. With expected surge of patients, the government hasn't devised plans," the professional claimed.

Originally published in The News