Dubai: As the number of deaths crosses 500 mark on Tuesday, a report suggests that Pakistan is among the least prepared countries to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report based on virus-re; ated date from around the world, Pakistan is one of those countries that are more vulnerable to COVID-19 due to lack of preparedness keeping in view the level of human development, health care system capacity and internet access. For every 10,000 people, Pakistan has only 9.8 physicians, five nurses and only six hospital beds. The country spends only 2.8 per cent of its GDP on health. The level of preparedness shows how vulnerable Pakistan is to the virus.
Highest single-day jump in cases
According to the report, Pakistan has witnessed a massive increase in its confirmed cases from the initial two confirmed on February 26, 2020. According to official data released on Tuesday, 1,315 new coronavirus cases were reported during the past 24 hours, recording the highest single-day jump. The new cases brought the total tally to 21830 COVID-19 patients in the country while the number of deaths also jumped to 505.
State of healthcare
According to the UNDP report, more developed countries have on average 55 hospital beds, over 30 physicians, and 81 nurses per 10,000 people. The least developed nations on average have seven hospital beds, 2.5 physicians, and six nurses. According to data, India has 7.8 physicians for every 10,000 people whereas, it has 21 nurses and 7 hospital beds for every 10,000 persons. India spends 3.7% of its total GDP on health. The South Asian region has 7.8 physicians per 10,000 people. The region has 17 nurses and eight hospital beds for every 10,000 people, the report adds.
Lockdown impact
The report highlights the issues being faced by the people during lockdowns as well. The digital divide according to this report has become more significant than ever, reported The News. Almost 6.5 billion people around the globe — 85.5% of the global population still don’t have access to reliable broadband internet, which limits people’s ability to work and continue their education.
“Although everyone is potentially affected in one way or another by this pandemic, some individuals and groups are more vulnerable, and suffer far more harm and have a much longer road to recovery,” it notes.
Increasing poverty
The report says that poverty adds to the high risks of long-lasting consequences. Despite recent progress in poverty reduction, about 1 in 4 people still live in multidimensional poverty or are vulnerable to it.
As a country whose economy is highly reliant on manufacturing and service industries, shutdown measures and disruptions in supply chains will negatively impact on the economy and society, particularly the poor. The shutdown measures have already impacted small businesses, small and medium enterprises and daily wagers associated with various sectors of the economy.
Considering that the informal sector in the country accounts for a major share of the national economy and employs 27.3 million individuals, an increase in unemployment and poverty coupled with implications on food production and overall food security are anticipated.
Another doctor dies
Meanwhile, the Sindh Government has formed a committee late Monday night to probe the circumstances that lead to the death of Dr Furqanul Haq — the third member of the medical fraternity in Karachi to have fallen victim to the coronavirus — after it was initially alleged he had died because he could not be provided a ventilator in time.
Sindh Government Spokesman Senator Murtaza Wahab confirmed the development on Twitter last night, saying a committee had been formed to investigate the matter and will submit its report “within 24 hours”. Dr Furqanul Haq had recently retired from the Karachi Institute of Heart Diseases.
Balochistan extends lockdown
Earlier, the provincial government of Balochistan has extended the ongoing lockdown for 15 more days in view of the mounting coronavirus cases across the province. The decision came in contradiction of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s decision to gradually ease the lockdown in the country to prevent economic meltdown.
Balochistan government Spokesperson Liaquat Shahwani said that the coronavirus is spreading at an alarming rate and in order to stem it, effective measures such as social distancing and isolation should be practised. The lockdown has been extended until May 19.
