No Covid-19 vaccine under development in Pakistan: Zafar Mirza
He explained that a Chinese company has approached Pakistan for testing and trial of the vaccine
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Prime Minister Imran Khan s Special Assistant for Health Dr Zafar Mirza has dismissed the notion that a virus vaccine is being developed by Pakistan or that it will be available for use in the next few months.
During a press briefing in Islamabad, Dr. Zafar Mirza explained that a Chinese company has approached Pakistan for testing and trial of the vaccine, for which we have asked for guidelines and regulations in the form of documents. He dismissed the notion that a vaccine would be available in Pakistan in the next few months.
He also said that work is being done on creating antiviral drugs in Japan and the Japanese Consulate is also in touch with Pakistan for a trial. He said that we have sought further information from Japan on the basis of which a decision will be made.
Dr Zafar Mirza lamented the fact that on the first day of Ramadan, people did not take safety precautions to prevent the spread of the virus. He said that our medical community has expressed its concerns over the spread of the virus at press conferences in different cities.
The Special Assistant said that young doctors have expressed their concerns in good faith as they are well aware of the facts about the virus and the overall capacity of the health sector. He appealed to the people to refrain from going to crowded places especially during Ramadan.
Dr. Zafar Mirza said that an IT platform Yaran-e-Watan has been introduced by the government under which overseas Pakistani doctors and health professionals can register themselves and contribute to the government s efforts.
The Special Assistant further said that the government has launched a website called tele health using which doctors in Pakistan or abroad will be able to give advice to those who seek it. He said that both websites are in the process of accepting registrations and doctors or paramedics who want to offer their services against the coronavirus can use the websites.
