In the last 24 hours, Pakistan has reported the highest number of coronavirus cases since the outbreak. As the number of cases in our country reaches alarming levels, there is little doubt that this Ramadan will be very different. Keeping ourselves and our loved ones safe and healthy this Ramadan means adapting our usual routine this month. Traditionally Ramadan welcomes communal prayers, iftars with family and friends, endless visits to the market and a lot of late night cricket matches. However, this Ramadan will be very different due to the coronavirus pandemic. Mosques remain closed or with strictly enforced and limited attendance to help contain the spread, and all of us must refrain from large social gatherings with family and friends.

People all over the world are making huge efforts and sacrifices during this terrible crisis. Lockdowns have been implemented globally and communities all over the world are practicing the strictest of safety measures to prevent this virus from spreading further. We must embrace the spirit of this Holy month and practice patience and humility. We need to take responsibility for ourselves and others around us seeing that at a time like this the smallest of our actions can affect hundreds and even thousands of lives. It is undoubtedly a difficult time but is crucial now more than ever for us to stand together to save the lives of Pakistani doctors who are the lifeline of our country.

Please stay at home with your family and loved ones, let’s protect our doctors and save lives. Spread the word and encourage others around you to follow the guidance provided by our government officials very strictly during this lockdown. You should only leave the house for limited reasons, such as:

• shopping for necessities, for example groceries and medicine, however you should make these trips as infrequent as possible.
• travelling for work purposes, however this applies only to work that cannot be done from home.
• any medical need – try to take extra precaution during this time to prevent injury or harm but do get medical assistance in case of an emergency

You can also receive healthcare assistance from the safety of your home. Shifaam offers an innovative solution that provides access to healthcare professionals while ensuring the implementation of requisite social and physical distancing protocols. Our digital platform combines all elements of healthcare facilities into a single comprehensive solution, empowering you to consult with doctors virtually; order lab tests and booking appointments, all from the comfort of your home. It’s easy to access and use and offers full functionality via website as well as Android & iOS apps.

Free of Cost Virtual Counseling Services for Healthcare Professionals

This pandemic has caught our healthcare system unaware and ill-prepared. Healthcare workers have to perform their duties often without Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs)for COVID-positive patients in environments that are not sufficiently equipped. As these brave doctors and medical staff continue to fight an enemy that has killed more than 200,000 people so far, we should not forget that they are human beings like the rest of us and have families at home. And like any of us,they may harbour anxieties about the outbreak like being afraid of spreading the disease to their families, frustrated about a lack of adequate protective gear or, most of all, deeply sad for their dying patients. Understanding the psychological impact of the COVID-19 outbreak among healthcare workers is crucial in order to maintain their well-being during this crisis. The Center of Inclusive Care (CIC) and Shifaam, for specifically this reason, have initiated Project Imdad which seeks to ensure the mental health and wellness of our front-line healthcare professionals by offering free of charge counseling and support services by supervised therapists via virtual consultations to keep their safety the number one priority.