BAHRAIN has been asked to document its experience and its introduction of robust mechanisms to fight the spread of the Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19), writes Raji Unnikrishnan.

World Health Organisation (WHO) epidemiologist Dr Amgad Elkholy yesterday praised the measures taken by Bahrain’s authorities that have proven “successful” through effective actions and engagements.

Dr Elkholy, who was part of the WHO team that visited Bahrain last week, was responding to the GDN while addressing international Press in a video-conference briefing from Cairo.

“Bahrain has taken a number of steps including surveillance, field visits, strengthened communication, risk assessment and disease control, and in dealing with infected cases,” said Dr Elkholy.

“Bahrain has a robust mechanism for co-ordinating these efforts headed by high level government officials and there is focus on cases coming in from foreign countries.

“There is a big number coming in from affected countries who are moved to specific isolation centres.

“There is a big community engagement and a more popular initiative launched by the youth and others.

“All such initiatives emphasise that there are robust plans.

“Extensive investigation done on people led to early detection, which is an important aspect.

“We urge Bahrain to continue such efforts in strengthening its health systems and to engage in information and data sharing.

“We asked Bahrain to document its experience as it has proved itself successful till now in terms of diagnosing the diseased, isolating them and treating them, according to the need of each patient.”

Yesterday’s Press briefing on the latest updates on Covid-19 and the related developments in the region was also attended by a number of officials including WHO regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean Ahmed Al Mandhari.

Mr Al Mandhari said that “under-reporting” on Covid-19 positive cases from the Middle East countries was hindering WHO’s efforts in fighting the virus. He also underlined that the increasing “local transmission” cases was posing a challenge to the region’s efforts to mitigate the virus spread.

“We need to accelerate efforts, as the number of local transmissions is increasing in the region, which is a challenge,” he said. “We need to scale up our efforts to respond to the pandemic and to take priority control measures.”

Mr Al Mandhari added that the regional approach to combating the coronavirus has so far been “uneven” – urging the stepping up of efforts.

“Countries (in the region) must collaborate on levels – public, private and civil societies – and be accurate and transparent in sharing information on the cases as well as the measures they take in terms of social distancing which is vital,” he added.

“Unfortunately, even today, as the situation is becoming critical, information on cases is insufficiently communicated by countries to WHO.”