‘Lockdown must continue until COVID-19 threat exists’

Stressing the need for cooperation between the federal and Sindh governments to work together to fight the deadly COVID-19, experts have asked the provincial administration to keep the province under an effective lockdown until the novel coronavirus pandemic is not brought under complete control.

The Sindh Social Scientist Forum (SSSF), a social think tank, organised two international webinars on the issue of the spread of COVID-19. Experts from different countries participated in the meetings to share their homelands’ respective situations and the best practices for containing the transmission of the virus.

Based on the knowledge shared by experts from different countries, the SSSF made some recommendations to address the prevalent issues through the relevant departments, organisations and the Sindh government.

“A coordination committee of like-minded people from the federal and Sindh governments should be formed to make the process of coordination smooth and to avoid any miscommunication and political statements for only political scoring. This is not the time for political mileage but for collective efforts to save human lives.”

The think tank asked the provincial government to arrange public awareness sessions on social distancing, hand washing and balanced diet through different sources, which include cable channels, mainstream media channels, print media and FM radio.

As the Sindh government is currently processing its annual budget, they should allocate more funds to health services so that protective personal equipment and other necessary safety kits can be provided to health professionals, suggested the SSSF.

They also suggested that the government properly arrange water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities at all hospitals across Sindh and also allocate budget for filling the vacant positions of health professionals.

Expressing concerns over the education system in the province being affected by the pandemic, the think tank said the education sector will need special attention and proper planning after educational institutions reopen in June.

“The government can plan online classes for grades six to 12 at public schools and should reserve at least 20 per cent of the province’s education budget to address the gap in examinations and enrol all children.”

They also suggested that the government arrange health education classes for students, fill all the vacant positions and create proper WASH facilities in all the schools across the province.

The SSF said population growth is also a major issue that needs to be controlled through effective planning and programme implementation as well as awareness sessions at grassroots level.

Civil society bodies, donor agencies and the chambers of commerce in the province should also lend support by providing funds to the provincial government, they added.

The think tank also asked the local government representatives and charity organisations to strictly follow the standard operating procedures during the distribution of rations among the needy and to avoid crowds by organising the distribution activities in a careful manner.