According to a recent announcement, registration for the PM’s ‘Corona Relief Tigers’ youth team will begin on March 31, 2020. This force will be tasked to deliver food, identify those hoarding and to monitor suspected corona cases at quarantine centers, etc. It is expected that with the completion of registration process on April 10, 2020, organization and necessary training / orientation of this force will be completed so that it can be deployed as early as possible. With the deployment of such a force, it is anticipated that the prime minister’s argument that a complete lockdown cannot be enforced because it will kill more people due to hunger will also be addressed.
The announcement also says that the force would lead the fight against the coronavirus in Pakistan. This needs clarification. It is hard to understand that how a force comprising youth with no relevant educational or training can lead the fight against the coronavirus. This is primarily a medical war; the prime minister is humbly requested to ensure that all decisions for combating the calamity be exclusively left with doctors specially those who are specialized in dealing with contagious diseases. Constitution of a national committee with such professionals from all the provinces/ major hospitals may also be considered to help ensure better coordination.
Dr Mohammad Saleem
Karachi
