The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) on Monday urged people to comply with the Covid-19 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and other related restrictions. PMA also asked the public to be vaccinated at the earliest by registering themselves with the immunization system, and advised the government to increase the number of vaccination centers in the country.

Speaking at a press conference at PMA House Karachi, association officials said they had asked the government and the public over the past three weeks to play their part in controlling Covid-19 in Pakistan. They said they warned in advance that Covid-19 cases could increase during Ramadan if SOPs were not implemented and followed.

“Unfortunately, we remain sloppy and the cases are increasing. We are worried that if we do not take appropriate action, the number of cases and deaths could increase and the enjoyment of Eid al-Fitr could fade, ”said PMA Secretary General Dr Qaiser Sajjad on the occasion.

PMA administrators stated that they are deeply concerned about the rapid spike in Covid-19 patients and the horrific increase in the number of deaths. They say it is also very disturbing for the patient’s condition which is getting worse and the ventilators in the hospitals are on alert, especially in Punjab. “If we can’t control the situation, we may run out of beds for oxygen and ventilators. According to the National Command & Operations Center [NCOC], currently there are about 90,000 active cases in the country, with 570 patients on ventilators, “said Dr Sajjad.

He said there were 634 coronavirus referral hospitals in the country, and 5,810 patients currently being treated at the hospital, adding that according to the NCOC, the number of confirmed cases had reached 800,452 and the death toll stood at 17,187.

“Over the past 24 hours, 4,825 cases have been reported positive and 70 deaths have also been reported. A day ago, 118 deaths were reported, and two days ago, a record 157 deaths were reported since the outbreak of the pandemic in the country. These numbers show that the Covid situation in the country is getting serious. “

Blaming the government for the worsening Covid-19 situation in Pakistan, he said that on February 24, Pakistani authorities had relaxed most restrictions on commercial activities, schools, offices and other workplaces, allowing them to function at full power.

“PMA is against this decision. We declared it a hasty decision. We argue that the government should prioritize public health, over financial issues, and have advised the authorities to lift restrictions gradually and only if the number of cases continues to decline, “he said, claiming that just days after the hasty decision, the number of cases began to rise. and since then we are facing the third wave.

He admitted, all of this happened due to negligence in taking preventive action. He said that now the deadly virus is spreading rapidly in Sindh, particularly in Karachi and Hyderabad, adding that the situation could worsen in both cities if the government fails to strictly enforce SOPs.

“Passengers arriving from other provinces in Sindh have to be closely monitored through the scanning process at the entry point. Likewise, people who come from abroad must also be checked for Covid-19 to avoid spreading it. We appreciate the Sindh government for prohibiting intercity transportation. “

The PMA board said people should adopt precautionary measures for the sake of their families and the whole community. “Wear a mask every time you go out because masks are a vaccine against Covid-19, maintain social distancing and wash or clean your hands at appropriate intervals.”

They say a vaccine is the most protective shield against Covid-19. “PMA advises the public to be vaccinated as soon as possible. Don’t listen to or pay attention to the misconceptions and myths related to the Covid-19 vaccine. It’s not dangerous at all. People who do not get vaccinated can face the complexities of the disease. “

PMA treasurer Dr Qazi Muhammad Wasiq and Karachi Secretary General Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro were also present at the occasion, while PMA President Dr Salma Aslam Kundi spoke by telephone and urged the public to comply with instructions to avoid situations like India in Pakistan.