Top WHO official praises Pakistan’s efforts to contain spread of coronavirus

Tariq Butt, Correspondent

World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Head in Pakistan Dr Palitha Mahipala praised Islamabad for its wonderful efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus, and running an efficient vaccination drive, covering all corners of the country.

During an informal chat with media representatives, Dr Mahipala said that Pakistan was one of the seven countries in the world that took the best precautionary measures against the coronavirus pandemic.

“Pakistan is performing better in its vaccination drive. One million doses are administered per-day, which is excellent,” Dr Mahipala added. “Pakistan's vaccination centres are an example to the international community.”

The WHO country director said that he personally visited the most remote and backward areas of Pakistan and inspected the vaccination process. “Surprisingly, vaccination centres in remote areas, from Tharparkar and Khunjerab border, all had the same facilities which are available in Islamabad.”

Dr Mahipala and his team visited the Rawalpindi Railway Station and inspected arrangements to facilitate passengers at a Covid vaccination centre there.

The WHO team members inspected the vaccination centre and distributed face masks, sanitisers and coronavirus awareness pamphlets among the passengers of Awam Express, Sir Syed Express and other trains.

Meanwhile, for the first time in almost four months, Pakistan reported COVID-19 positivity rate below 4%. Its positivity rate currently stands at 3.98% as of Sunday morning, the National Command and Operation Centre’s (NCOC) data showed.

Officials said that the spread of COVID-19 has lessened over the past few days with lesser deaths and infections. However, they advised the people at large to observe the standard operating procedures (SOPs), so that the pandemic remains under control.