The Big Boss was shouting at me like anything, “The coronavirus will cross borders of Pakistan in no time. It has already engulfed half of sphere. How will you respond at borders? What are your requirements, needs and demands? What is your preparation to stop its entry to Pakistan?”
I was Head of all Points of Entry of country, including airports, ports and land crossing. I had nothing in hand. I saw the spiky balls (of virus) floating all around me. I could almost see the crowned virus heading towards Pakistan, resolute not to respect its borders. I imagined as if it has collided with and pierced through the Health Security shield at borders, slashing it into pieces. That stunned me!
I could not reply the big boss in matching tone but saw him silently. I wanted to convey that I had asked the administration for Man, Money and Material since long but processes took too long. Our files of proposals kept on piling in the decision makers’ offices for years; to be dealt in conformity to the so called formal, out-of-work and rigid rules. The files moved quite lethargically but the Virus did not wait, it was knocking on our doors!!
I juddered with fear and at that moment of time, I woke up. Sweat oozed from its glands at maximum. I could hear sounds from my throbbing heart. I remained motionless for some time. But the nightmare was not done with, rather it had started!
I remember still, we had no proper SOPs for COVID-19, not enough manpower and very few equipment. We needed a lot, but had very less! It was very challenging. Given limited resources and being manager of a neglected and dormant department was no excuse for me. I was the focus of everybody during our meeting where eyes saying too much.
It was January 2020 when the planning to combat a pandemic during a pandemic actually started! We had lost preparedness time but not lost our heart, hope and determination. The Big Boss had a meeting in the day. He was skeptical of my abilities! He himself however seemed confident to fight it out. I was flooded with so many questions for which I had very few answers. The meeting however shaped some future planning. The Big Boss supporting it all. I had to act hurriedly.
Nobody was ready to acknowledge the accomplishments I had in last 2.5 years. I wanted to tell the people sitting round the table that I had reshuffled whole of department and just six months back, I had established six new PoEs. Nobody had any idea about changes and aspiration I had inculcated in a rusted department. Only the Big Boss perhaps had this recognition but deep in his heart!
What we actually needed was to establish a protocol at airports to trace suspects of COVID-19. It included thermo-screening at airports, isolation area, rapid response teams etc. There were no PPEs with the department and these were not available in the market in wake of COVID-19 outbreak. Moreover, training of all staff was to be conducted. I had to work day and night with my team to prepare ourselves for fight against coronavirus. I banked on my 30 years’ experience. Over last 30 years, I had tackled Plague, SARS Avian influenza, Bird Flu and EBOLA quite easily but this COVID-19 had set everything afire. Then a stress and panic level was high and everywhere. I kept my calm and always believed it was doable.
It was January 18, 2020, when I finally presented all the preparations and groundwork in hands to tackle COVID-19. The Big Boss nodded a lot in recognition of joint efforts. Yet he had much apprehensions – he was a perfectionist. In next two days, we had to start screening of all incoming from international passengers at airports. SOPs were developed, staff trained, thermo scanners purchased and all resources were put in one basket to handle the situation. I wished all this since long but had never seen such an enormous resource mobilizations towards our department.
My experience gave me confidence that this mammoth challenge will now be met amicably but the Big Boss never appreciated. But the same was not the case with me. I had to put assurance and promise in my team. The Crowned Virus was a sign of terror and they were going to stand between it and the nation as front liners. All was new and scaled up for them however but we raised their level of confidence and belief.
It was January 18, 2020, when I finally presented all the preparations and groundwork in hands to tackle COVID-19
The D-Day came. It was January 23, 2020 when first flight was to arrive from China. Unease and anxiety prevailed at airport but my team was tranquil and composed. Everybody was in PPEs and present at his desk which were placed for thermo scanning, collection of Health Declaration Forms and Health Education etc. Trained staff placed with thermo guns with a second layer of thermos scanner was ready. The isolation room was ready and the Rapid Response Team at toes. I supervised the proceedings with team leads. All started since afternoon and now it was 7pm, everybody got tired yet they were energetic. All were now confident and wished to start their job. I visited personally each and every point. All ready to take on. Lot of media coverage was begin given to this first flight. Notables were present to witness the event. All eyes were on our team.
I was enthusiastic and poised while I saw the Big Boss coming. As usual he had to make sure smallest detail by himself. His sight shook me a little. He approached me, looked into my eyes and asked,
“Are you ready?”
“All is set, Inshalla it will be done as per protocol” I replied, a little bit seriously. He nodded his head and stood aside to observe the event.
The inquiry sign board flashed the status of the flight as “landed”. Everyone stood still. Fears rising-any passenger could be importing coronavirus in his body! The lethal virus had already invaded many countries. Its rapid transmission and deadliness had been established. After about 15 minutes, the first passenger appeared out of jetty and approached to our health staff in the international arrival. All gazed as if he had landed from the moon. His Health Declaration Form was taken and read by our staff. The alert staff measured his temperature by thermo gun and referred onward as per SOPs. He went past the thermo scanner, questioned and ultimately declared healthy. He was guided to go for immigration. With this first arrival, a wave of confidence arose among our staff and they came into a rhythm. One by one all passengers were scanned. All went smoothly in accordance to Plan.
All were absorbed in the intensity of happening but I was peeping at Big Boss for acknowledgement of what we had done. Nevertheless it was hard to extract anything as he rarely let his emotions reveal. My staff was happy as they came out triumphant and deserved a pat on their back. I thumbed up to all my team and they waved their gloved hands joyously. The Big Boss looked at me and at that seized moment I guessed a smile of encouragement and appreciation on his face. I was but not sure as he was wearing a face mask!
The writer is director, Central Health Establishments, Islamabad