ISLAMABAD, April 15 (INP): To contain the global spread of COVID-19, advanced economies must keep a focus on helping other countries with weak healthcare systems while fighting in their own homeland. 

In fact, if things are not under control in less developed countries, it could come back to hurt the developed countries, says a report carried by Gwadar Pro App on Wednesday. United Nations (UN) humanitarian chief warned that the failure to help vulnerable countries fight the coronavirus now could place millions at risk and leave the virus free circling back around the globe.  The UN says a global approach is the only way to fight COVID-19 and it launches $2 billion global humanitarian response to fight the pandemic in 51 countries across South America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Noting the United Nations Secretary-General’s call for action, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has also urged world leaders to take measures to help developing countries to overcome disastrous impacts of COVID-19. In his recent speech while talking to the international community he called for a “Global Initiative on Debt Relief in wake of coronavirus pandemic”.  The proposed Global Initiative therefore aims to lay ground for urgent debt relief to the developing countries, at their request, and without onerous conditionality.  

The Initiative is built on the Prime Minister’s belief that enhanced fiscal capacity is fundamental to recover from the ongoing pandemic crises.  Even countries with relatively developed healthcare systems can face similar problems. Not only would massive financial resources have to go into healthcare rapidly, but measures should be implemented to contain the virus’s spread, such as travel restrictions, business closures, quarantines.   If cases escape detection in under developed countries, then it is more likely that weak healthcare systems, coupled with endemic poverty and social instability could result in a secondary epidemic with potential global impact, the report added.

INP/JAVED