Pakistan

Government responses

Medical and quarantine policies and processes

• [12 May 2020] To support patients with mental illness, disabilities, and other chronic conditions, the Health Minister has announced that all COVID-19 patients should be fully assessed based on their needs.

Social protection and employment support

• [20 April 2020] The Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme, worth PKR 144 billion, has been developed to benefit 12 million vulnerable families affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Ehsaas is a first-of-its-kind poverty-reduction programme for poor women, widows, orphans, homeless people, persons with disabilities, poor farmers, poor labourers, and others from low-income backgrounds.
• [20 April 2020] Other government support programmes for persons with disabilities include the Ehsas Rashan Programme (food rations) and the Sehat Sahulat Programme (medical care).
• [30 July 2020] UNFPA has partnered with provincial government departments and commissions to distribute dignity kits to women and girls with disabilities in four provinces to help maintain personal hygiene during COVID-19.

Institutions and facilities 

• [2 June 2020] The Guidelines on the Care of Old Patients in Wake of COVID-19 stipulate that older persons in care facilities, particularly those with pre-existing medical conditions or disabilities, should take strong infection prevention and control measures. Local authorities should be notified immediately about any suspected cases.

Last modified: 6 May 2021