Although our attention may have diverted to other issues such as the Senate elections, we must be reminded that we are still living in the midst of a pandemic which is affecting hundreds of people every day. Pakistan has started an inoculation programme but is already been mired into controversy.
There have several wide-scale irregularities reported in the administration of the vaccination particularly in Sindh including administering the vaccine to non-frontline healthcare workers, people over 60 years and unrelated people. Last week, it was reported that the daughter and son-in-law of former Sindh governor Muhammad Zubair were administrated the vaccine. It is not surprising that many influential personalities can use their connections to receive the vaccine out of turn.
The NCOC has received been numerous complaints of wide-ranging irregularities in the administration of coronavirus vaccine which benefited many influential but even non-essential people. Several non-frontline health workers, some influential people and their families were reportedly vaccinated in connivance with the officials of local health departments. A probe was launched but is unlikely to yield any credible results. The federal government has even warned of taking over control of the vaccine drive in the province.
Pakistan received the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines from China as a goodwill gesture but the irregularities have created an embarrassment. It is also imperative to conduct an audit of the vaccines administered to the healthcare workers, keep a record of every vaccine vial and wasted vaccine doses. We need to identify the loopholes in the vaccination process and take stringent remedial measures.
The vaccine is not being administered to elderly people above the age of sixty, contrary to global practices where old-age citizens are prioritized. The government has maintained that the Chinese vaccine Sinopharm is not suitable for people above years even though it is being administered in UAE and other countries. These people are among the most vulnerable from the effects of coronavirus and efforts should be made to ensure their healthcare.
Things could change as the government has allowed private companies to import COVID-19 vaccine without any price caps on its sale in the local market. This means the vaccine will be sold at any price determined by the company. Pakistan has yet to receive the vaccine from the international alliance Covax which has pledged to provide free vaccines. Until then, we need to address the irregularities that ensure the process runs in a smooth and transparent manner.
