Pakistan's spike in coronavirus cases raises quarantine concerns

[AVERAGE INDIAN]

Pakistan reports first coronavirus death in Hyatabad medical complex

Pakistan reported its first coronavirus death in Hayatabd medical complex, Peshawar on Monday. He was admitted to HMC last night. The patient, 31, was reported to travel from Qatar to Pakistan.

The patient belonged to Hangu. His family lives in Qatar. However, he was brought to hospital in a serious condition. Another suspected case, Tahir, aged 24 was also admitted to HMC. Doctors revealed that Tahir is now in stable condition. His specimens have been taken for laboratory test.

Notably, government is limiting travel – both inward and outward – to curb the movement of people.


Schools in Pakistan are shut and classes moved online, while entertainment venues have been ordered to close, as officials increasingly turn to quarantine measures to tackle a virus that has now killed thousands of people around the world.

https://dailytimes.com.pk/577307/pa...oronavirus-death-in-hyatabad-medical-complex/

 

[AVERAGE INDIAN]

Coronavirus outbreak: Pakistan obtains key relief from IMF

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan was provided a key relief by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday according to which expenses undertaken by the government to combat the coronavirus outbreak will not be included in the fiscal deficit target.

Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh confirmed the development, revealing that the international money lender had agreed to not include the expenses incurred on battling the coronavirus in the fiscal deficit.

Dr Hafeez Shaikh chaired a meeting held to discuss the coronavirus and its effects. He said that the government will not allow the common man to feel the effects of the coronavirus.

"The prime minister has tasked me deal with the economic impact [of the virus]," he was quoted as saying in a press release. "It will be [the government's efforts] to ensure that basic food items' prices don't increase or their supply is not disrupted."

He said that the government will try to ensure that the coronavirus outbreak does not lead to unemployment in the country.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/277608-coronavirus-pakistan-obtains-key-relief-from-imf

 

[AVERAGE INDIAN]

Coronavirus: Pakistan much deficient in machines designed to provide mechanical ventilation

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government and private hospitals have a very small number of ventilators, which will be too deficient if there is a significant surge of new cases of coronavirus, data shows.

The key factor in mitigating strategy and effort of any country will be hospital capacity, and within such facilities two aspects are crucial – the number of beds available for patients who come with coronavirus complications and ventilators, which accompany those beds in intensive care units (ICUs).

The situation of ventilators which is a huge stress even on the health systems of developed and resource-rich countries is varied in Pakistan with picture varying from province to province.

Statistics shared by a health sector expert with The News reflects that public and private sectors of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) have around 150 ventilators. In Balochistan, all government hospitals put together have only 49 working ventilators.

According to the official record, Punjab’s public sector hospitals have nearly 1,300 ventilators, most of which were procured by the Shahbaz Sharif government in 2016-2018 when it had launched a project for revamping of tehsil and district hospitals.

In Lahore, the government hospitals have around 250 ventilators. However, the Punjab Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI), which is a state-of-the-art facility and the brainchild of Shahbaz Sharif, alone has 100 brand new ventilators.

An official said the Punjab health department had done a stocktaking of ventilators in the private sector in Lahore and came to know that it has approximately 475 ventilators. However, the private hospitals of Lahore have 51 such machines. The previous government had provided 130 brand new ventilators to 25 district headquarter hospitals in 2017. It had planned to make available 140 ventilators to all tehsil level hospitals but the initiative was discontinued after 2018 by the new dispensation. The official said that private hospitals outside Lahore in large cities like Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Multan, Rawalpindi and Sialkot have some 150 ventilators in approximately 30 hospitals.

The health sector expert said in the light of these facts, one urgent step the government has to take is to purchase as many ventilators as possible in order to prepare for emergency situation. Both federal and provincial governments will have to allocate additional resources, he said.

However, another senior official, well conversant with development sector allocations, said that it was not only the issue of earmarking of resources but the capacity of health departments to procure ventilators and other much-needed equipment at top priority and expeditiously.

Reinforcing his claim with facts, the official said that the track record of the health ministry during the last two years is not very encouraging. The federal government for the second consecutive year is allocating hundreds of millions of rupees of funds to provide for every conceivable machine and equipment like MRI, ENT equipment, ophthalmology and nephrology and cardiology for the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Islamabad but not a penny has been utilised.

Planning Minister Asad Umar, who was elected to the National Assembly from Islamabad and has keen interest in improvement of facilities at the PIMs, has expressed his displeasure over the state of affairs in the Health Ministry where concerned officers are again prepared to surrender the earmarked funds, unutilized, rather than purchasing the direly required medical equipment.

When this state of affairs was put to a senior bureaucrat, he recommended to get hold of young civil servants, who did emergency procurement in Punjab as the present health ministry and PIMs bureaucracy may not measure up to the challenge.

In 2016-2018, the Punjab government had procured ventilators at around $13,000 per instrument with built-in compressor. Price may be higher now with huge global demand in view of the spread of coronavirus. The United States, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland and Japan are major manufacturers of ventilators. A doctor explained that a ventilator is a machine designed to provide mechanical ventilation by moving breathable air into and out of the lungs, to deliver breaths to a patient who is physically unable to breathe, or breathing insufficiently. It is critical and essential equipment for any ICU. Major complication of coronavirus affected patient is breathing difficulty especially in old and infirm and people already suffering for underlying ailments, the doctor said.

All countries affected by coronavirus are doing an urgent stocktaking of ventilators that their health systems have. Even the well-resourced system like Italy is finding it challenging to provide ventilators in large numbers, which should be commensurate with the number of serious patients. It is stated that even the United States does not have enough ventilators and ICU beds if there’s a noteworthy surge of new cases. As with Italy, the health system could become overwhelmed.

Many experts are doubting the ability of existing health systems to absorb the shock, what is called the surge capacity, meaning ability to handle serious patients, who need intensive care especially through ventilators.

So, the million dollar question is: will there be enough ventilators as the pandemic spreads? As the coronavirus spreads, there are continuing concerns among hospitals, public health experts and government leaders that ICUs would be hard-pressed to handle a surge in seriously ill patients.

A key limiting factor to provide good care, experts say, is the number of ventilation machines, a hospital has on hand to help the most seriously ill patients breathe.

A pulmonary disease expert explains the coronavirus like many respiratory viruses can cause inflammation in the lungs. When the lungs become inflamed, the membranes that transfer oxygen from the air into the blood become blocked.

When patients develop this type of viral pneumonia, they often require bedside ventilators, which can supply higher levels of oxygen, help push air into the lungs to open them up, and afford more opportunity to get oxygen into the patient, he said.

Ventilators are generally a temporary bridge to recovery of patients in critical care, who need them to get better. These machines can be crucial to sustaining life in certain emergency situations. If there is a surge in seriously ill patients as COVID-19 spreads, ventilators could be in short supply from hospital to hospital or nationally.

The public health expert said if hospitals continue to be overwhelmed, at that point tough decisions would have to be made about who gets access to a ventilator and who does not. This could be left to the health professionals to choose who has chances to live and who is to be left. Experts say this scary scenario can only be avoided if prevention and containment protocols are immaculately followed.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/63...es-designed-to-provide-mechanical-ventilation

 

[AVERAGE INDIAN]

Pakistan hospitals ill-equipped to counter Covid-19


Suspected patients arriving for screening and diagnosis being turned away


Published: March 16, 2020 16:44 Zubair Qureshi, Correspondent

People pray outside the Sacred Heart Cathedral as it was closed after Pakistan shut all its schools and discouraged large gatherings amid coronavirus fears in Lahore, March 15. Image Credit: REUTERS

Islamabad: Rising Covid-19 infections have exposed Pakistan’s ill-equipped health care system.


The country reported 41 new cases on Monday bringing the total to 94. This is the biggest single-day increase in the country. Sindh province is the worst-affected with 76 cases, including 25 cases in Karachi alone.


A day earlier, Punjab reported its first case. Cases have also emerged in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan and Balochistan.


Poorly-equipped government hospitals lack the capacity to screen the large number of suspected cases. Another challenge is quarantining and isolating those detected positive.


Hospitals lack basic equipment like masks, sanitisers and ventilators.


Worse, some doctors are reluctant to go near patients. In Balochistan, disciplinary action was initiated against 13 doctors for staying away from a quarantine centre in Mastung city. On their part, doctors complain of a lack of proper standard operating procedures (SOP).


The situation in Mastung is no different from urban areas. Even at Islamabad’s Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), two doctors were isolated for adopting a procedure in violation of SOPs.


Dr Waseem Khawaja, spokesperson for PIMS, told Gulf News that the state-of -the-art facility had limited resources with regard to provision of personal protection equipment for its medical staff of 800.


The hospital lacks ventilators and patients have to line up and get a token to be alloted one.


“We have allocated 10 beds [half are already occupied] in case the number rises,” Khawaja said. He insisted that the situation is under control and more beds and ventilators will be provided if the situation calls for it.


A US-returned woman who was recently admitted to PIMS’ isolation unit and put on ventilator remains in critical condition, Dr Khawaja said.

https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/pak...s-ill-equipped-to-counter-covid-19-1.70424067

 

[Absolut_Vodka]

#Bhikari trending after Imran Khan, PM of Riasat-e-Medina, Islamic republic of Pakistan begged for loans to be waived off due to Coronavirus.

 

[AVERAGE INDIAN]

This is only the beginning their false bravado and chest thumping will end them up in a deep shit , these clowns are making false claims that they have best Medical facilities in the world , when they can't even make / produce basic generic medicines which they import Indian medicines from Dubai. even in 2020 they are dependent on importing basic medical equipment . they are heading for a hell hole for sure. Of course al-bakistian and their media will never report this

 

[AVERAGE INDIAN]

#Bhikari trending after Imran Khan, PM of Riasat-e-Medina, Islamic republic of Pakistan begged for loans to be waived off due to Coronavirus.

DIMRANKHAN should come out of his hole and should read actual news why this fucker is coming india to Pakistan. of course we had issue initially but we have one of the best pharma sector in the world

WHO praises India for efforts against novel coronavirus
https://www.hindustantimes.com/indi...coronavirus/story-IXvNvwzUXXJaixJRe0DQ7K.html
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...n-battling-coronavirus/videoshow/74675564.cms

 

[indiatester]

The shared border with Iran and the high shia population that goes on pilgrimage is a setup for #WuhanVirus #ChinaVirus explosion in Pakistan.
The lack of testing facilities and their continued low spend on medical facilities (to support their army) is going to bite them now.
In 2019 budget of Pakistan, the defense expenditure was 1150 billion paki rupees vs 93 billion paki rupees were allocated for education, nutrition, health and clean drinking water (together).

Compare that to India.
The healthcare budget has been was at ₹69,000 crore (US$9.7 billion) vs ₹471,378 crores (US$65.86 Billions) for defence.

 

[Waanar]

Pakistan reports first coronavirus death in Hyatabad medical complex

Pakistan reported its first coronavirus death in Hayatabd medical complex, Peshawar on Monday. He was admitted to HMC last night. The patient, 31, was reported to travel from Qatar to Pakistan.

The patient belonged to Hangu. His family lives in Qatar. However, he was brought to hospital in a serious condition. Another suspected case, Tahir, aged 24 was also admitted to HMC. Doctors revealed that Tahir is now in stable condition. His specimens have been taken for laboratory test.

Notably, government is limiting travel – both inward and outward – to curb the movement of people.


Schools in Pakistan are shut and classes moved online, while entertainment venues have been ordered to close, as officials increasingly turn to quarantine measures to tackle a virus that has now killed thousands of people around the world.

https://dailytimes.com.pk/577307/pa...oronavirus-death-in-hyatabad-medical-complex/

Okay, so... one death only?

Who are they fukin with? Also, a 31 year old is the first one to die?

What when the number of patients overwhelm the staff?

 

[Shashank Nayak]

Akhand Chutiya.. Responding to a parody account of Savita Bhabhi...

 

[Waanar]

Akhand Chutiya.. Responding to a parody account of Savita Bhabhi...

Dude! THAT'S NADIA ALI FROM A PORN SERIES CALLED SHOPLYFTER!

 

[Shashank Nayak]

Dude! THAT'S NADIA ALI FROM A PORN SERIES CALLED SHOPLYFTER!

I was referring to the account Savita "Bibi" :bounce:

 

[Waanar]

I was referring to the account Savita "Bibi" :bounce:

The dude literally put out a pornstar as the face of "Kashmir's pain".

Ye kidhar dukh raha hai oye?

 

[Absolut_Vodka]

Dude! THAT'S NADIA ALI FROM A PORN SERIES CALLED SHOPLYFTER!

Would have been difficult to figure out without you!!!

Mod warning: Be warned that members aren't allowed to introduce any URL to pornographic sites in anyway. Not even in spoilers.

 

[AVERAGE INDIAN]

Okay, so... one death only?

Who are they fukin with? Also, a 31 year old is the first one to die?

What when the number of patients overwhelm the staff?

these idiots even denied that death is not related to corona Virus like I mentioned let them hide but it will explode on their faces

 

[Absolut_Vodka]

Bhai porn link karan mana he yaha pe

Can't do anything of my post now, only mods can edit or delete it. Plus i shared link to a screenshot, anyone clicking play is at their sole discretion.

 

[AVERAGE INDIAN]

source: https://www.dawn.com/

 

[AVERAGE INDIAN]

52 new coronavirus cases push Pakistan’s tally to 237
By Our Correspondents
Published: March 17, 2020
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Soldiers wearing facemasks stand guard on road leading to a quarantine faciltity (R) for people returning from Iran via the Pakistan-Iran border town of Taftan to prevent the spread the COVID-19 coronavirus, in Sukkur in southern Sindh province on March 17, 2020. PHOTO: AFP

KARACHI / ISLAMABAD: Provincial authorities on Tuesday confirmed 51 new cases of the novel coronavirus in Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, pushing the country’s tally of confirmed COVID-19 cases to 237.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Taimur Khan Jhagra announced one more confirmed case of COVID-19, pushing the provincial tally to 16.

“… [We] have received news of one new positive case of #coronavirus in Abbottabad. The gentleman has come to Pakistan from the UK. This takes K-P total cases to 16. He has been home quarantined since he displayed no symptoms,” he wrote on his official Twitter handle.

Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, from his official Twitter handle announced 18 fresh cases in the province.

“On the basis of test reports, of suspected patients, I can confirm that the number of confirmed #coronavirus patients is now 26,” he wrote.

“We are testing all the suspected patients and 736 Zaireen (pilgrims) quarantined in DG Khan. 1,276 Zaireen coming from Taftan will also be quarantined,” he added.

Balochistan government spokesperson Liaquat Shahwani, meanwhile, confirmed six new cases in the provinces, raising its tally to 16. “Patients are being treated in isolation ward of Sheikh Khalifah Bin Zayyad Hospital [in Quetta],” he was quoted as saying.

Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Information Murtaza Wahab announced the new cases through Twitter.

Wahab said a total of 274 pilgrims were tested out of which 134 tested positive in Sukkur. In the rest of Sindh, 38 patients tested positive out of which 36 are under treatment while two have recovered. Five out of the latest patients had recently returned from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Earlier, Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid confirmed five new COVID-19 cases in the province in a news conference.

Overall, Sindh has 172 confirmed cases while Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has 16, Balochistan has 16, Islamabad four, Gilgit-Baltistan three, Punjab 26 and Azad Jammu and Kashmir has reported none till now.

The situational report provided by the National Institute of Health early Tuesday claimed the country’s tally at 187 with 150 confirmed cases in Sindh, 15 in K-P, 14 in Balochistan, four in Islamabad, three in G-B and one in Punjab.

There were a total of 499 COVID-19 tests performed across the country during the last 24 hours.

Four patients have been discharged after recovering – one in Islamabad and three in Sindh. However, the Sindh Health Department puts the tally at two.

According to NIH, a total of 995,821 travellers have been screened at entry points so far out of which 20,187 travelers were checked in the 24 hours.

The total number of suspected patients in the country stands at 533, with around 100 being added to the number during the last 24 hours.

Varying stats

The varying stats paint a dismissal picture of coordination between the federal and provincial governments. The Sindh government has come out criticising Centre for lack of foresight in quarantine arrangements in Taftan where over 9,000 pilgrims returning from Iran had been quarantined by the Balochistan government in a ‘tent city’.

Sindh Minister Saeed Ghani said the quarantine facilities in Taftan on the Iranian border were inadequate, which resulted in large numbers of coronavirus cases.

After completing the 14-day incubation period, the pilgrims were allowed to travel back to their cities. However, Sindh and K-P sent the pilgrims to isolation facilities in Sukkur and Dera Ismail Khan and tested them before allowing further travel. So far 119 pilgrims tested positive in Sindh and another 15 in K-P.

In Quetta, Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal defended the efforts of the provincial government to contain the coronavirus spread. In a tweet, the chief minister invited his counterparts from other provinces to visit the facilities at the border points and elsewhere in the province.

“Not only we are doing in Taftan… But Rideeq, Quetta, rest districts and now this new facility on Pak Afghan border with Army/FC,” he tweeted. “I invite all CMs, federal authorities and electronic media to come Quetta, see Taftan, Jivani Turbat and Chaman border with me…”

The federal government maintained that health was a provincial matter under the 18th Amendment however Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) argued that border management falls under Centre’s domain.

Govt urges calm as nationwide tally hits 184

Action plan

On March 13, Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) to cobble a unified approach to contain the outbreak.

The huddle was attended by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General Lt-Gen Faiz Hameed provincial chief ministers, top advisors and cabinet members.

It was decided to close borders with Iran and Afghanistan, allow only three airports – Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore – to operate international flights in limited numbers while other airports will see domestic flights, and ban public gatherings.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has been tasked to coordinate with provincial governments and lead the fight against novel coronavirus. It was also decided to close all educational institutions until April 5.

The Pakistan Day parade on March 23 has also been cancelled.

The Sindh government has banned public gatherings, shut down educational institutions, postponed religious celebrations and closed shrines, marriage halls, cinemas, gyms, social clubs etc. Punjab government is said to have made a similar decision.

In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the education institutions have been closed till April 5 and suspended wedding activities around the province.

Balochistan has also limited activities and closed educational institutions till the end of March.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2177847/1-10-new-covid-19-cases-confirmed-as-pakistans-tally-hits-194/

 

[AVERAGE INDIAN]

OMG seriously

 

[AVERAGE INDIAN]

Pakistan army work from home