KABUL (Pajhwok): The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has said no Omicron case of coronavirus has surfaced in Afghanistan so far and urged international assistance to deal with the new variant of respiratory virus.
This variant of Coronavirus for first detected in South Africa and reported to World Health Organization (WHO) on November 24.
Omicron is a variant of concern because it has dozens of mutations that can affect the way it behaves. Due to this mutation profile, it needs to be further investigated for its potential impacts.
The variant has been spreading quite quickly in one province of South Africa and cases have also been reported in other parts of the world, including in the European region. More Omicron cases are being expected over the days and weeks to come, as countries begin to look for it more.
According WHO researchers in South Africa and around the world are conducting studies to better understand many aspects of Omicron and will continue to share the findings of these studies as they become available.
Dr. Baz Mohammad Sherzad, former senior advisor in the MoPH, said the new variant of Coronavirus was dangerous and all measures should be put in place to ensure the safety of people.
Referring to pre-cautionary measures for preventing the spread of Omicron, he said these measures were taken for other types of respiratory disease.
Dr. Sherzad demanded using risk analysis and applying scientific methods to prevent the spread of pandemic and increase the capacity of general and curative care for better management.
He said: “It is important that inequality in accessing Coronavirus vaccines is addressed immediately to ensure that vulnerable groups everywhere, including health workers and the elderly persons, receive their first and second doses in addition to fair access to treatment and diagnosis.”
He advised people that the best way to prevent the spread of the disease was maintaining social distance of at least one meter.
In addition, he stressed over using masks, opening rooms window, refraining from crowd, cleaning hands, vaccination and other measures to prevent the spread of respiratory disease.
He urged the MoPH to use all available resources to ensure the safety of the masses, adding that in some cases there was need for strictness.
He also demanded the WHO and other aid providing agencies to increase their health related assistance to Afghanistan in order to support the people of Afghanistan in fighting this pandemic.
ZalmayReshtin, head of the Afghan-Japan Hospital in Kabul, termed the spread of Omicron dangerous and told Pajhwok Afghan News no preparations were in place to deal with the fourth wave of Coronavirus.
He said Afghan-Japan Hospital had machinery to produce oxygen but there was no fund to buy fuel and operationalize the oxygen producing machine. He also asked international community to support Afghanistan in fighting the new variant of Coronavirus.
He said one of donors that pledged support to Afghan-Japan Hospital had failed to keep its promise. Reshtin did name the agency.
He said efforts were on to attract support for dealing with the new variant of Coronavirus that has not yet surfaced in Afghanistan.
JavidHazheer, spokesperson for MoPH while referring to Omicron variant of Coronavirus said the virus was spreading world-wide and Afghanistan may not be safe from this virus too.
“Our request to international institutions is to stand by the people of Afghanistan the way the stood in the past in order to thwart Coronavirus crisis in Afghanistan, and not to involve the Afghan people in political issues, because they are also human beings and have the right to life.”
The MoPH spokesperson also urged people to adhere to pre-cautionary measures by using masks, avoid gatherings, ensure social distance and wash hands frequently.
WHO, however, has pledged the continuation of its support to Afghanistan health sector despite political changes in the country.
Nh/ma
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