ISLAMABAD, Feb 3 (APP): Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Health Services, Dr Zafar Mirza Monday said Pakistan is not having even a single patient of corona virus and completed all the arrangements to diagnose the disease through screening at the airports across the country.
“The seven suspected persons from different cities were tested in Pakistan for Corona Virus but their samples found to be negative which is a good omen”, the special assistant disclosed while addressing a press conference here along with Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Yao Jing.
“We have made all the arrangements at the airports for proper screening of the passengers coming from China and collecting their health forms. Those completing their incubation period of 14 days are being allowed to board the plane from China”, he said.
The SoPs for clinical care and prevention at the airports have been issued and shared with the provincial authorities to take them on board.
He said Pakistan has received the testing kits from different countries to diagnose the Corona virus and made all the arrangements at airports to ensure proper screening of the passengers entering Pakistan from China.
Dr. Mirza informed that the flight operations from China were suspended temporarily due to the New Year celebrations in the first week of February.
The flights operation from China has been resumed from Monday and all the passengers were screened at the airports phase wise while no patient was required to be kept under-observation, he added.
Dr. Mirza who himself was present at the Islamabad Airport to check the screening arrangements for the initial passengers on Monday, said “Completing quarantine period before leaving China is an effective barrier to prevent our citizens. We are now focusing on strengthening arrangements at the airports at provincial level”, he said.
The treatment for Corona virus has not been discovered yet however the patient affected from this virus starts recovering with improvement in his immune system, Dr. Mirza observed.
Speaking on the occasion, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Yao Jing said Chinese government is paying full attention to the necessities of Pakistanis living there.
So far, he revealed, around 371 patients have been died in China due to Corona Virus while 500 patients have been recovered too.
Chinese government is taking every possible measure to control the outbreak of the virus, imposed public health emergency and canceled all the ceremonies.
He said Chinese government is informing the world about its efforts to cope with this challenge and World Health Organization has acknowledged China’s efforts for controlling the virus.
“Chinese consider Pakistani people as their fellow citizens and the Chinese government is taking care of all the needs of Pakistani students there”, he said.
The ambassador assured no one will be allowed to leave China without completion of 14-day incubation period.
Today, 12 Chinese arrived in Pakistan including four businessmen and they were permitted to arrive in Pakistan after strict monitoring, he added.
He thanked Pakistani government for extending support to China in the difficult time and acknowledged the letter written to Chinese President by Prime Minister Imran Khan for offering support.
“We cannot recommend travel restriction due to Corona Virus as far as Pakistan is concerned”, the ambassador said.
The Chinese government has the competency, capability and determination to overcome this challenge, the ambassador said.
