Swine flu pandemic

As more reports of death from swine flu pandemic continued to pour in from India, Saudi Arabia, and elsewhere, across the world, the Federal Minister of Health, Aijaz Jakhrani, informed the National Assembly that only one case of swine flu had been confirmed in Pakistan.
Replying to a question in the National Assembly, he pointed out that of the 25 people tested for the virus, only one was found infected with swine flu, saying that the patient had recovered spontaneously and the disease was not transmitted any further. The same day, quoting a Health Ministry official, an AFP report revealed that swine flu was detected in one patient at the National Institute of Health, Islamabad.
Needless to point out, this will, perhaps, imply that the NIH, located in the Federal Capital is the country's sole centre for testing virulent ailments, including deadly viruses.
Not to speak of the swine flu pandemic, of which the World Health Organisation recently sounded the new century's first warning. As for controlling the swine flu virus, the Minister reportedly said that no vaccine is available in the market, and that it would be imported as soon as it becomes available.
Nevertheless, he averred that the anti-viral 'Tamiflu' was sufficiently available in government hospitals to treat any patient of swine flu. Again, as he put it, training of healthcare persons had been undertaken, adding that health officers at the international airports, seaports and border posts have been screening suspected travellers.
In so far as the preparedness of the government in combating the pandemic is concerned, reference has also been made to a government press release. According to which, the Ministry of Health is also planning to install thermal scanners at ports of entry to detect cases, along with stress on non-pharmaceutical interventions like "Social Distancing and Personal Hygiene."
And, what's more, the heads of all educational institutions have been advised to issue circular to parents that children with flu-like symptoms may not be sent to school. Similarly, the general public is also stated to have been advised to observe "cough etiquette" and people with flu-like symptoms must avoid public places and physical contact with others. Viewed in the perspective of the preparedness of a number of countries, including neighbouring Iran and India, Pakistan appears to be labouring in the grave misconception of bracing for all eventualities, with little awareness of getting caught unawares.