ISLAMABAD: Although Covid-19 restrictions in Pakistan have been loosened, vice chancellor of the Health Services Academy Prof. Dr Shahzad Ali Khan warned on Tuesday that the virus may mutate more frequently in the winter.
Dr Shahzad added that this is the reason more and more people need to get vaccinated as soon as possible since the virus may impact those who have not received a vaccination. He encouraged the authorities to keep a closer eye on confirmed instances.
Speaking to attendees at an event called “Covid-19 Test and Treat Advocacy in Pakistan,” which was put on by Shifa Foundation Pakistan in association with Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) and Unitaid, Dr Khan addressed the issue of cancer advocacy in Pakistan.
“In China, there is quarantine between cities, which means a person has to finish a quarantine of seven days before travelling to another city and then another seven days after arriving at the destination, even within the country,” he said. He added that mutation could be positive or negative but that stakeholders in the health sector should be prepared to deal with negative mutation.
Says virus may affect non-vaccinated people
“However, I want to stress that since unvaccinated people have a higher risk of mutation, everyone should get vaccinated, and those who have already had vaccinations should get booster shots. Increasing surveillance of positive cases is also necessary because they may contribute to the virus spreading quickly, according to Dr Khan.
Participants were informed that Shifa Foundation held several meetings with important stakeholders, including religious leaders, teachers, doctors, and community elders, to solicit their support in spreading awareness to encourage people to test and treat in centres already available at health facilities.
“Around 170 community workshops were held in various communities, and teams contacted 4,220 beneficiaries, including 2,681 women, in order to mobilise and educate them about the Covid-19 Test and Treat. Social and digital media outlets including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Linkedin were also leveraged for a larger coverage and reached 5.6 million individuals to further enhance the mobilisation drive.
Participants were informed that animated audio and video messages, facts, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) regarding Covid-19 had also been published on specific social media pages in order to increase awareness and give people quick, simple access.
Dr Hassan Urooj, WHO’s national coordinator, urged that the department of education fulfil its responsibility by organising Covid-19 immunisation efforts in schools.
He further stated that the Covid-19 vaccine should be a requirement for student entrance.
