The world is facing a global crisis at the hands of the coronavirus. While this continues to impact all human lives at their facets, there is a more sinister role the virus plays for those who are on the frontlines. Across the nation and around the world, medical professionals are working day and night to ease the risk of the virus and relieve people of their distress. By doing this, there have been several reports surrounding these healthcare workers contracting the disease themselves. Especially in a country like Pakistan, with a lack of reliable testing facilities and proper tracking, the very hands that are accountable for the safety of the human race are in danger. As the cases within the nation continue to rise, there is a worrying notion that these numbers are underreported and hence impacting more people than we think. What does that say about the quality of our healthcare system and the way we treat those on the frontlines? Does this mean that Pakistani medical professionals are being bushed to the brink and hence, will be forced to give up their duties? And how does this impact essential workers within the country, such as sweepers and janitors?
While healthcare workers are working long hours, socially distancing from their families and contracting the disease itself, we wonder what all of these factors attribute to. The treatment that is being condemned nationwide has more to do with the lack of resources and overall professional than negligence or misuse of power. Doctors and nurses do not have proper access to personal protective equipment, hospitals lack integral supplies to treat positive patients (such as ventilators) and the situation is only becoming more volatile as the numbers of cases exceeds fourteen thousand as of April 2020.
There are fortunate people who have the opportunity to stay home and protect themselves from the spread of the pandemic. However, our men and women on the frontlines and essential workers are not granted such a luxury. These individuals not only have to keep going to their workplace to make a living, but they end up putting their own lives in peril in the process. These vulnerable heroes of the coronavirus pandemic, or ‘frontline workers’, are the real heroes of this global catastrophe. The lack of protection is not limited to Hazmat suits and N95 masks, but even basic tools and clothing necessary for proper sanitation. Which brings us to the main issue the lockdown poses in Pakistan: the welfare of those on the frontlines.
Amidst this countrywide lockdown, there have been many reports and stances made on the treatment of healthcare professionals. But, this does not light a candle to the manner sanitation workers are forced to survive and make a livelihood during difficult times. This workforce continues to be exposed to the virus through their meager jobs, all of whom have families to support. Not only are these individuals neglected and marginalized in general, but most of them stem from a minority religion within the country. Although the Christian population in Pakistan is barely two percent, the sanitation workers who are of Christian faith are around eighty percent. Due to religious discrimination in both urban and rural areas, these workers are constantly exposed to the dangers of Pakistan’s underground and above ground sanitation channels.
As of April 13, 2020, there have been a hearing under a five member bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The judiciary has taken the chance to address this issue head on in regards to the lack of protective gear provided to sanitation workers, as well as salary delays during the lockdown. They have held that these groups are provided with these bare necessities ideally and fairly because of their role on the frontlines in this fight with a deadly virus and its spread.
Besides the obvious lack of preparation and control at the hands of the government, the future of the country is also facing disastrous results. The pandemic has to be a crucial wakeup call for urban planners all around the nation. Policymakers need to have a substantial understanding about the right kinds of investments and how unequal access will have a negative impact on the workforce and its sustainability. Due to fragmented rules and regulations surrounding the treatment of minorities and their line of work, there is no concept of culpability when it comes to governance and reform. While there is less space for inclusive planning, this hinders the effort of hard working workers on the frontlines who are trying to survive day to day. Informal and formal settlements will no longer be able to hide under the guise of proper sanitary channels and will have to see a massive reform.
However, even if this is critical for the functioning of all major and minor cities in the nation, there is a further lack of funds and preparation to make this into a reality. And when this continue to proliferate, those who suffer are from the lower middle class populations and follow an underrepresented religious sect. These people deserve attention and equipment from concerned authorities so they can continue to support the sanitation of the country and its citizens. Apart from indispensable medical supplies, the UNHCR is working with Pakistani authorities to provide the right protective gear and tools for its sanitation workforce.
Both Pakistani and international organizations are striving to make efforts in prevention and response, as well as water and sanitation and risk communication. It is believed that while there labors will not go unnoticed, there is still a long way to go if the nation wants to amplify the treatment of their healthcare and sanitation employees. Along with urban and rural citizens becoming more aware of self-hygiene and social distancing measures, the COVID-19 infection can be directly tackled by taking the interests of these workers into account and putting in the energy to better their jobs.
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