A report in The Lancet warns that insufficient resources are worsening the crisis
Healthcare experts in Pakistan have voiced concern over the country’s “preparedness for a possible mpox outbreak,” following 11 confirmed cases and one death since the disease emerged in April, according to a report in The Lancet.
Writing in the medical journal, the authors, Saad Javed, Nimirta Sahitia, and Eesha Yaqoob, have warned that the health-care infrastructure in the country is under considerable strain and insufficient resources are compounding the challenge.
“Diagnostic facilities and testing kits, which are crucial for early detection and containment, are in short supply,” the authors highlight in the piece.
They have cited the case of a patient arriving from the Gulf region who tested positive for mpox only after being transferred to a hospital by the health desk at Peshawar Airport.
“Despite continuous monitoring of the situation, the existing resources and systems are insufficient to manage a potential large-scale mpox outbreak,” the authors warn.
The report suggests a multi-pronged response to the crisis: “Establishing well equipped laboratories, ensuring the availability of testing kits, and training health-care professionals are imperative.”
WHO declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on August 14, 2024. With 122 countries reporting more than 99 518 confirmed cases and 208 deaths, mpox is emerging as a major global health threat.
Pakistan's National Institutes of Health has already issued an urgent advisory, calling for intensified surveillance and enhanced diagnostic measures.
“But more needs to be done,” the authors urge in the article. “Surveillance systems, particularly at airports and border entry points, must be strengthened. The efforts of border health staff, as emphasised by the National Coordinator for Health Pakistan, are commendable, but they require additional support and resources to be truly effective.”
Read More : Fact Check: Is WHO suggesting lockdowns to tide over rising mpox cases, and is India preparing for one too?
