PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Saturday appreciated the services of health professionals, rescue and police workers and district and military administrations in the fight against coronavirus and said joint efforts showed their dedication to stem the spread of Covid-19.

“Health workers and others, who laid down life in the battle against Covid-19, will be remembered for a long time for saving lives. We take pride in their sacrifices,” he told a ceremony held here to mark the completion of 100 days of fight against coronavirus.

The chief minister lauded the role of civil and military administrations, relevant government departments, private organisations, elected representatives, civil society, media workers and other people in the fight against coronavirus and said it reflected the unity of the nation, said a statement.

He said the government had been making result-oriented efforts from the first day of the outbreak of the virus under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan, so the tide of the infection had been stemmed.

“The work being done by the National Coordination Council and National Command and Operation Centre has been significant as far as the prevention of the virus spread is concerned,” he said.

100 days of fight against pandemic marked

The chief minister said the implementation of effective strategy with consensus of all federating units and stakeholders to deal with the challenge posed by the pandemic was the result of national unity.

He also praised the Provincial Task Force on Covid-19 for playing an important part in containing the infection.

Mr Mahmood said he hoped that the joint efforts of the government and people would help overcome the challenge very soon.

On the occasion, the chief minister spoke to the family members of martyred frontline health workers via video link and assured them of all possible support of the government. He gave way commendation certificates to the frontline workers.

Also in the day, chief secretary Dr Kazim Niaz visited Landi Kotal and Jamrud areas in Khyber tribal district and distributed commendation certificates among local officials, doctors and paramedics for excellent work in fight against coronavirus on Torkhum border and three subdivisions of the district.

He asked the residents to strictly follow the standard operating procedures in cattle markets before Eidul Azha to prevent coronavirus.

The chief secretary said strict adherence to preventive measures against Covid-19 could help check virus incidence.

The Lakki Marwat district administration also marked 100 days of fight against coronavirus.

A function was held at the District Headquarters Complex, Tajazai, where deputy commissioner Abdul Haseeb, ADC Noorul Amin, health experts and officials of the relevant departments were in attendance.

Mr Haseeb hoisted the national flag on the premises of his office and reiterated the commitment of his administration, other stakeholders and residents to defeating the disease.

He praised the frontline fighters against Covid-19 and said he along with other officials would visit health facilities to acknowledge the anti-virus efforts of doctors, paramedics and health professionals.

The administration of Mansehra district praised doctors, other health workers and journalists for fighting the pandemic as frontline soldiers.

“I have no words to laud your services for the people during the Covid-19 emergency. Because of the effective role you played against this pandemic, the incidence of virus is on the decline in the district,” assistant commissioner Talat Fahd told a ceremony here on Saturday.

Commendation certificates were given away to journalists for effective role against coronavirus.

A function was held in Upper Kohistan district as well where deputy commissioner Dasu Anwar Akbar Khan lauded the role of frontline workers against the virus.

The participants included district health officer Dr Taj Mohammad and DSP (central) Gulfaraz Khan.

The first 100 days of Covid-19 fight was also marked in Kohat, where the district administration vowed to continue its efforts to protect people’s lives from the virus.

A statement issued here by the administration said people could prevent coronavirus by following the government’s guidelines, avoiding shaking of hands, not holding gatherings, using hand sanitisers and staying indoors to the maximum.

The Bajaur district administration also observed 100 days of fight against coronavirus.

Senior officials of the administration, including ADC Zameen Khan Momand and ACs Habibullah Khan Wazir and Fazal Raheem along with health and TMA officials visited the houses of health workers, who died while performing anti-coronavirus duties.

Such functions were also held in Charsadda, Malakand, Swat, Lower and Upper Dir, Nowshera, Mohmand, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Kurram, North Wazristan and other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2020