EVACUATION OF PAKISTANIS FROM CHINA: A CONCERN OF SAFETY

When it comes to rescuing nationals living abroad for any purpose officially or unofficially the countries of the world react proactively midst any escalation or deadly medical emergency. Recently, during Iran-US escalation European countries showed a great example. The battlefield country, Iraq, was evacuated as the authorities foresaw rampage escalation between two rivals. Military personnel, diplomats, journalists, and nationals flee out of the battleground without any delay. The latest such crisis is the Novel Coronavirus (NCV) outbreak in China. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a global medical emergency. The world has responded proactively, but question of evacuation Pakistanis remain a concern of health risk and seriousness of Government towards the likely impact of the menace in the country.

In Macau on Tuesday many shoppers wore face masks. The government has recommended that people across China wear masks to halt the spread of a dangerous corona-virus. Credit…Anthony Kwan/Getty Images ( Source: New York Times)

WHO reportedly said on their website that the outbreak is linked with exposure to the seafood market in the Wuhan city of China, according to initial reports among 41 reported cases there was only one death. However, the intensity of the occurrence has been highly increased and it has been called a global health emergency. The latest reports say that there are 9,700 reported cases of NCV in China out of which 213 affected from this have died. The virus does not hold it back to China; now the virus has global outreach. A total of 18 cases have been diagnosed outside China, out of which 14 have been reported in Thailand and Japan, 13 in Singapore, 11 in South Korea, 8 in Australia and Malaysia, 5 in France and the USA and confirmed two cases in India and Philippines.

Center for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases like pneumonia, MERS and SARS. The symptoms may include fever, dry cough, and mild breathing difficulties at the outset, gastrointestinal issues, and diarrhoea. High fever more than 100.4 F temperature, Pneumonia, and Kidney failure could lead to death as severe symptoms. The virus is transmitted through cough or sneezes from an infected person or touching contaminated objects.

The world has responded to this menace proactively. UK and U.S are among the first countries having evacuated their people from China. UK Chartered plan on Friday took off carrying 83 British nationals and 27 others. The plane was landed at RAF Brize Norton on Friday afternoon, and then to Spain, where the European Union countries of the other 27 people will take responsibility for their respective citizens. NBC News reported that 195 American nationals were evacuated from China midst the outbreak. However, no illness was found among the evacuees. Meanwhile, Russia has closed borders with China in order to prevent any further break out in their territory.

According to the Statistics provided by the Foreign Office (FO) there are 30,000 Pakistanis in China out of which 28000 are students including 500 to 800 in the city of Wuhan. One of the students who have come from the city of Wuhan where the virus broke out says that his fellowmen are in huge trouble back in China. Now that, the whole world is acting proactively to safeguard their citizens struck in China the government of Pakistan is in dual minds whether to or not bring people back from China. The flights have been halted to or from China the appreciated step taken by the Government.

Thankfully there is no any reported case of NCV in Pakistan. But it is saddening that four Pakistanis are reported with NCV. Meanwhile, such a delay in bringing back people from China is making parents and families of the people at the risk are worried. As the death toll increases by each passing day worry and the seriousness of matter intensify. The government and electronic media must come into play before any further worst comes out at the display

Before the process of bringing people back to the country, the Government should make a certain arrangement. Screening and Diagnostic facilities must be set up at Karachi International Airport and Islamabad International Airports. Any sign of NCV, if seen, any of the boarders must be shifted to the Hospital emergency with a minute’s delay. Secondly, a nationwide campaign must be started for imparting knowledge and information about the seriousness of this disease so that necessary prevention measures prevail.

While government is trying to tackle NCV crisis, people in-country must follow measures for the prevention suggested by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).