PM Imran Khan 'fit and doing well', Dr Faisal Sultan says

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  • Dr Faisal Sultan says he has met PM Imran Khan and the premier is "fit and doing well".
  • PM's aide on health says premier has "mild symptoms".
  • "The best advice that we could give him was to stay at home, isolate, and rest," he says.
  • Provides clarity on speculation surrounding the coronavirus vaccine.


Prime Minister Imran Khan's aide on health Dr Faisal Sultan on Saturday said that he has met the premier and he is "fit and doing well".

His remarks came a few hours after he announced the premier has tested positive for coronavirus.

"The best advice that we could give him was to stay at home, isolate, and rest," he said, in view of the fact that the premier only has "mild symptoms".

"We are monitoring his clinical parameters, and medical treatment will be given to him if required," Dr Sultan said, adding: "Right now, there is no need for any treatment, as such."

Dr Sultan said the government is in touch with people the premier met over the last few days. "We will be contact tracing everyone and request all the individuals that met him to isolate themselves," he said.

Dr Sultan provides clarity on speculations about vaccine

The premier's aide said that soon after news of the prime minister testing positive broke, speculations have been rife, especially with regard to vaccinations, and he wishes to provide some clarity.

"First of all, it is important to understand when the vaccines begin to show their effect and what changes are seen.

"No vaccine brings about any immediate changes, which means its efficacy, and our anti-bodies, do not kick in after the first dose," he explained.

Read more: PM Imran Khan was not 'fully vaccinated' against COVID-19, Ministry of Health says

Dr Sultan said a level of antibodies that are fit to fight the infection are only produced two weeks after the second shot, in the case of two-dose vaccines.

He said this is why, it is important to be clear about the fact that at the time the prime minister was inoculated with the first dose, he had not developed any immunity.

"It is likely that he had been exposed a few days prior and the virus was already in his system," the premier's aide said.

He said people must not pay heed to any misinformation regarding the vaccine playing any role.

'Do not take virus lightly'

Dr Sultan said Pakistan continues to see a spike in cases daily and the current national positivity ratio is around 9.5% — with some cities even individually recording a greater than 10% positivity ratio.

"I appeal to everyone to adopt all safety measures and continue practicing them. Stay at home as much you can. Wear a mask and keep a six-foot distance from everyone. Do not go to crowded spaces. Wash your hands with 20 seconds with soap and water or use a sanitiser," he said.

The premier's aide also urged people to register their loved ones aged 60 and above for a vaccine by sending their CNIC numbers to 1166.

"Do not take this virus lightly," Dr Faisal Sultan warned.