Pivoting Pakistan's response to the pandemic.

Byline: Syed Fida Marvat and Dr Beenish Samreen

WHILE it may be a bit early to say this, however, by analysing the striking variation in mortality rates in comparison with countries in the Northern hemisphere, there is some hope that the pandemic will not follow as lethal a trend in countries located proximate to the equator such as Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.

Africans and South Asians have better immunity due to infections like Ebola, Dengue, Typhoid, Chicken Pox, Malaria etc. Past exposure to microbial load and various pathogens like parasites, bacteria and viruses have generated improved immunity due to broad specific memory T-cells and boosted its readiness to attack new foreign invaders.

According to the latest clinical Covid-19 studies, recovery depends on T-cell rapid response while the infection progresses. Extensive past use of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine drugs at the community level seems to be playing a favourable and beneficial role in controlling the mortality rate. This supports the ongoing debate and research on the positive role of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine in treating Covid-19 patients.

Pakistan is less at risk owing to a younger population as compared to Spain, Italy, China and the US since our immune systems degrade as we age. It's the same reason that we see increased cancer rates as we grow older - our immune systems, which normally find and destroy cancers in our bodies, become overwhelmed, exhausted and depleted.

Studies have shown a seasonal pattern in other coronaviruses, with peaks occurring during winter and disappearing in spring. By contrast, only a small amount of coronavirus appears to be transmitted in summer.

Africans and South Asians are more resilient due to past exposure to microbial load and various pathogens like parasites, bacteria and viruses

The Pakistan health system is, of course, neither better nor more developed than its European or American counterparts. But from the perils of our existing health system emerge the strengths required to battle the existing pandemic. Our health system and health care providers are proving more resilient in coping with the pandemic due to the following factors:-

1. Pakistan does not have strict protocols like the West therefore healthcare providers enjoy flexibility when dealing with patients. In a sense, emergencies are a norm for our healthcare staff, hence they are better equipped to apply their knowledge and expertise during this pandemic.

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