China has applauded Pakistani doctor, Dr. Muhammad Usman Janjua, who volunteered his services to fight the deadly coronavirus that has affected 14,000 people and claimed more than 200 lives.
“We appreciate Dr. Muhammad Usman Janjua, a foreign doctor to join the fight against coronavirus in China as a volunteer,” tweeted the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan.
We appreciate Dr.Muhammad Usman Janjua,a foreign Doctor to join the fight against coronavirus in China as a volunteer. He is a teacher from Changsha Medical University,China and hails from Deena, Jhelum, Pakistan. #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/xDpbgBj883
— Chinese Emb Pakistan (@CathayPak) February 1, 2020
According to the Chinese Embassy, Dr. Janjua hails from the Deena, Jhelum in Pakistan and teaches at the Changsha Medical University in the Chinese Province of Hunan.
In an interview, Dr. Janjua called China his second home as he received his medical degree in the country.
201/ At Islamabad airport this morning – received passengers from China along with HE Chinese Ambassador in 🇵🇰 CZ6007 brought 69 passengers including 57 Pakistanis and 12 Chinese. We supervised implementation of “Airport SOPs” & I interviewed passengers. pic.twitter.com/22GleZfmUa
— Zafar Mirza (@zfrmrza) February 3, 2020
“My heart beats with my Chinese brothers. If I can offer my services in Wuhan in this difficult hour, it would be a moment of pride for me and my country – Pakistan,” said Dr. Janjua.
He thanked the government of China for appreciating his work and expressed satisfaction with the emergency measures taken by China to control the epidemic. He reiterated his confidence in China’s proactive action by saying that Pakistanis and citizens from other countries would find themselves safe.
Return of Pakistani students
Meanwhile, Pakistanis stranded in coronavirus-struck China have been attempting to flee home. A group of 143 passengers from China arrived on Monday morning in Islamabad.
After halting flight operations to China, Pakistan announced to resume its flights yesterday. The resumption of flights to China came a day after Pakistan presented thousands of coronavirus screening kit.
199/ Health Information booths have been setup at airports to provide answers to queries about #Coronarivus and disseminate important standardized info materials. Thank you #WHOPakistan pic.twitter.com/GavwxMAXio
— Zafar Mirza (@zfrmrza) February 2, 2020
We are resuming flight operations with China; a China Southern Airlines flight with 145 passengers on board will land at 9 am at Islamabad International Airport on Monday,” Abdul Sattar Khokhar, the senior joint secretary of aviation, told Reuters.
Read more: Coronavirus: Pakistan decides not to repatriate its citizens from China
Dr. Zafar Mirza, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan on National Health Services took to Twitter to inform people that the returned Pakistanis were screened at airports and the passengers interviewed.
198/ Another landmark in a very short time is the completion of #coronavirus clinical care and prevention guidelines. Full instructions on case definition, inpatient/outpatient treatment, handling of diagnostic samples, and even home care. Great job my team! pic.twitter.com/hmjEOmp4zE
— Zafar Mirza (@zfrmrza) February 2, 2020
“At all airports, screening systems have been strengthened. The Pakistani government is prepared for any emergency,” Mirza said, adding, “The health department has the facilities for detecting coronavirus cases.
“At all airports, comprehensive screening arrangements are available.”
Among the 143 Pakistanis returned home were 40 students. The Pakistani students were examined on airports by the medical team and allowed to go home upon clearance. Furthermore, the Pakistani students stranded at Urumqi airport following the brief shutdown of flight between Pakistan and China after the outbreak of coronavirus returned home in a direct flight from China.
Read more: Coronavirus can be treated with cow dung and urine: Indian leader
Information booths on airports
Dr. Zafar Mirza informed that 194 health information booths have been set up at various airports across Pakistan to cope with the threat of coronavirus.
He said these booths will provide complete information about the virus. Dr. Mirza called it a landmark achievement by preparing a complete guide on the clinical care and prevention guidelines in a short time. The information booths instruct case definition, inpatient and outpatient treatments, handling of diagnostic samples and even home care.
197/ Glad to announce GoP official airport guidelines for #coronavirus step-by-step guidance on screening; inflight & airport, and decisions about sending home, isolation, diagnosis & treatment. Commendable efforts of our expert leads in nCV Emergency Core Coomittee. Thank you! pic.twitter.com/DdQ4kM6ym3
— Zafar Mirza (@zfrmrza) February 2, 2020
He said a hotline has been established by the Chinese government to help and assist Pakistani students from China, and announced that Pakistan is now capable of diagnosing coronavirus.