Covid-19 Pandemic has made us face the new norms of life and adapt to new constraints. It has exposed the limited human capacity to avert calamity. With all the advancement in science and technology, mankind is still unable to predict natural disasters or gauge their impact on human life. But what is in the hand of mankind is its readiness and alertness to respond to the adversity which ensures lessening the human affliction. This pandemic has also highlighted chasms in our health systems and the immediate need to fill them by revamping our health policy and remodelling our health systems. It is incumbent upon the Governments to formulate the health policies which focuses on “Health for all” keeping the new realities of life in view due to pandemic assault. The Government of Pakistan is also trying to adjust to the new reality and reframe its health Policy to cope with the miseries of Corona. WHO Pakistan is at the forefront in coordinating and planning concerted efforts to support the Government in these dire times and sculpt a rapid response mechanism to the COVID-19 pandemic.
WHO Pakistan representative, Dr Palitha Mahipala along with Directorate of Health Services (DHS) of Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI), Dr Hassan Orooj inaugurated the Public Health Emergency Operation Centre for integrated disease surveillance, a central location for all types of public health emergencies under one roof at Health Directorate, MCI in Islamabad. During the inauguration session, Dr Palitha appreciated the concept and establishment of the emergency operation centre and underscored the significance of central place which would help in coordinating operational information and resources for the strategic management of public health emergencies and humanitarian crisis and the vital role it would play to control various diseases in the beginning. DG Health, Dr Orooj expressed his gratitude to WHO for the continued support being rendered to Pakistan in combating the COVID-19 outbreak and the steady support provided during the response to the 2019 dengue epidemic in the country.