MUZAFFARBAAD: Authorities in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) said on Sunday that so far none of the nine suspected cases had tested positive but nevertheless they were on alert to deal with the threat.

However, an association of young doctors and civil society activists mocked official claims and accused the government of taking the situation in a “carefree manner.”

Dr Syed Nadeemur Rehman, AJK’s focal person for COVID-19, told reporters that of the nine suspected cases six had reported at Abbas Institute of Medical Sciences Muzaffarabad and three at Divisional Headquarters Hospital Mirpur.

Their samples were sent to NIH Islamabad for screening from where four reports had been received with negative results, he said.

The remaining [five] reports would be received on Monday, he added.

However, statistics shared at a briefing in Islamabad showed that 11 samples from AJK had been tested at NIH and all were negative.

Young doctors warn of strike if they are not provided with safety kits within three days

On Friday, the AJK government had decided to impose a health emergency in the state.

Following decisions of the National Security Committee, the AJK government also closed educational institutions besides banning all festivals and large-scale wedding parties.

However, witnesses said on Sunday the “so-called prohibitions” were being brazenly flouted right under the nose of the authorities in different parts of the state.

In Muzaffarabad, civil society activists were angry at the administration for its inaction against the violators.

“I was driving past Jalalabad Park this afternoon when I saw it swarming with visitors,” said Khawaja Aleemuddin, a local resident.

“I wonder why people as well as the authorities are showing such a careless attitude despite the global scare,” he added.

Ishfaq Shah, another citizen, drew attention towards an “expo” and a musical night at a local hotel with a large number of attendees, including allegedly a senior administration official, risking their safety.

“If this is the state of affairs in the capital and has seen at least six suspected cases, one can easily guess the situation in other towns,” he said.Meanwhile, the association of young doctors (YDF) also took exception to the seriousness of the government regarding dealing with the coronavirus threat.

At a press conference, Dr Faheem Gardezi and Dr Usman Mehboob, president and secretary general, respectively, and other office-bearers of YDA said doctors and paramedics were the most vulnerable persons in the prevailing situation but no one was paying heed to their safety.

“We are supposed to receive and treat the suspected cases but we have not been provided even with masks, let alone safety kits. The government has left us at the mercy of fate,” they alleged.The YDF leaders warned that if they were not provided safety kits within three days, they would go on strike from the fourth day.

“However, we will not discontinue emergency services in the interest of public.”

Published in Dawn, March 16th, 2020