Islamabad : WHO has handed-over a donation worth over 500 million PKR to strengthen the COVID-19 response efforts of the Government of Pakistan through strengthening the Surveillance System and Points of Entry. WHO Representative in Pakistan, Dr Palitha Mahipala handed over the donation to Special Adviser to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health, Professor Faisal Sultan in a magnificent ceremony at WHO Country Office, Islamabad.
Speaking on occasion Dr Mahipala remarked: “WHO highly appreciates the strenuous efforts by Government of Pakistan to contain COVID-19 Pandemic. WHO is committed to sustaining its support to the Government in future. We are sparing no effort to prevent and stop the transmission of COVID-19 and ensure that Pakistan gets vaccine promptly and equitably.”
Dr Faisal Sultan acknowledged the support of WHO and remarked: “WHO has been supportive of comprehensive national public health response effort at every level to control COVID-19 pandemic. We acknowledge the support of WHO to strategic Preparedness and Response Plan as well as its integrated response efforts in Pakistan to mete out the health and safety needs of affected during the pandemic. The close coordination between the Government and WHO has been proved rewarding to stop the virus transmission and will further help to strengthen the Health System in Pakistan.
WHO donation included a total of 33 ambulances, 150 motorbikes, 12 double cabins and laboratory equipment. These vehicles will help to strengthen various aspects of COVID-19 response including surveillance, case investigation and case management .
The representative of donor agencies, senior-level representatives of the provincial governments, federal and provincial government health officers and WHO country office and sub-office staff graced the occasion.
WHO supported Pakistan’s response to COVID-19 through “WHO’s Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan” which outlines the necessary public health measures to prepare and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The document guided the development of Pakistan-specific national and regional operational plans and strengthened the capacity of the Government to plan, implement and monitor more effective, efficient, and evidence-based health interventions by strengthening response coordination, infection prevention and control, case management, disease surveillance, testing services in laboratories, the introduction of the vaccine, essential health services, strengthening health systems, and community mobilization, sensitization and engagement to cope the impacts of the COVID-19.