Asia sees fresh Covid-19 spike
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COVID-19 infections are rising sharply in parts of Asia, with Hong Kong and Singapore reporting significant increases in cases and hospitalisations, prompting health authorities to raise concerns over a fresh wave.
In Hong Kong, officials report that virus activity is at its highest level in a year.
Albert Au, head of the Communicable Disease Branch at the Centre for Health Protection, stated that the positivity rate for respiratory samples has surged. 31 COVID-related deaths were recorded in the week ending May 3, alongside rising hospital visits and sewage viral loads—strong indicators of widespread community transmission.
The surge in Hong Kong also affected public events, with singer Eason Chan cancelling scheduled performances in Taiwan after testing positive for the virus.
In Singapore, the Ministry of Health noted a 28% rise in COVID-19 cases in the first week of May, with hospitalisations increasing by about 30%. This prompted the country's first major COVID-19 update in nearly a year.
Officials attributed the increase to waning immunity and urged vulnerable groups to stay updated with booster doses. Authorities added there was no evidence that current variants were more transmissible or severe.
In mainland China, test positivity rates in hospitals more than doubled over a five-week period ending May 4. Thailand also reported cluster outbreaks following the annual Songkran festival in April, further highlighting regional concerns.
Despite rising trends elsewhere, India remains unaffected for now. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the country currently reports only 93 active COVID-19 cases, with no signs of a new wave.
Public health officials across the region are urging populations, especially high-risk groups, to maintain vaccine protection as a precautionary measure.
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Business Recorder
3 days ago
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Pakistan stands at a critical crossroads in public health policy. With seven million births annually and a population growth rate of 2.55%, our nation faces an unprecedented challenge in vaccine security that demands immediate and decisive action. The looming withdrawal of GAVI support by 2031 presents not just a crisis, but an opportunity to transform Pakistan into a self-reliant pharmaceutical powerhouse. The stark reality we face The numbers paint a sobering picture of our current vulnerability. Pakistan's complete dependency on donated and discounted vaccine supplies, supported by GAVI, UNICEF, and WHO to the tune of PKR 26 billion annually, masks a deeper structural weakness. When GAVI's support ends in 2031, the financial burden will balloon to PKR 100 billion annually as nearly four times our current federal health budget of PKR 27 billion. This dependency is not merely financial; it represents a fundamental threat to national health security. This isn't just underdevelopment—it's a systematic surrender of national health autonomy. Today, Pakistan produces virtually no antigens for the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) vaccines domestically. We lack essential seed banks, have minimal university-based vaccine development programs, and operate with regulatory guidelines that are inadequate for sophisticated vaccine manufacturing. Our clinical trial expertise remains severely limited, creating bottlenecks in bringing locally developed vaccines to market. The contrast with global pharmaceutical leaders is stark. While universities worldwide have been the birthplace of revolutionary vaccines-from the Hepatitis B vaccine developed at UC San Francisco to the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine-Pakistan's academic institutions remain largely disconnected from commercial vaccine production. Learning from global success stories International experience offers valuable lessons. India transformed itself into the 'pharmacy of the world' through strategic government support for generic manufacturing and robust regulatory frameworks. Singapore built a biomedical hub through integrated research, manufacturing, and regulatory excellence that attracted billions in global pharmaceutical investment. South Korea's government-industry partnerships created world-class biopharmaceutical capabilities. These success stories share common elements: sustained government commitment, strategic investment in infrastructure, regulatory excellence, and comprehensive talent development programs. Most importantly, they demonstrate that with the right approach, developing nations can achieve pharmaceutical self-sufficiency and even become global exporters. The Triple Helix solution The path forward requires unprecedented coordination between government, academia, and industry -what experts call the 'Triple Helix' approach. Each sector must play a distinct yet interconnected role in building national vaccine capacity. Government leadership is essential in creating policy frameworks that incentivize domestic production while providing funding for university research. Strategic assignments to national research institutions like the National Institute of Health, Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), International Centre for Chemical and Biological sciences (ICCBS), Karachi University, Department of Biotechnology, Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), etc., can accelerate vaccine development and establish crucial seed banks. Most critically, the government must develop a comprehensive national health security strategy that positions vaccine self-sufficiency as a matter of national defense. The regulatory transformation cannot be understated. Pakistan's Drug Regulatory Authority must achieve WHO Level 3 qualification and create 'regulatory sandboxes — collaborative environments where university researchers, industry partners, and regulatory experts jointly develop guidelines for the 13 critical EPI vaccine antigens. Fast-track approval pathways and clear regulatory roadmaps will accelerate the journey from laboratory research to commercial production. Formation of sandboxes by bringing together leaders of the University, Regulatory and Industry. Universities must step up as innovation engines. Institutions with BSL-III laboratories should lead development of live attenuated vaccines, while biotechnology departments focus on recombinant vaccine technologies. Specialized vaccine research centers, industry-relevant curricula, and technology transfer offices will bridge the gap between academic discovery and commercial application. State-of-the-art pilot manufacturing facilities will provide proof-of-concept capabilities essential for scaling innovations. Industry brings manufacturing excellence and market expertise to the equation. Private sector partners can transform academic research into GMP-compliant commercial production, establish robust supply chains for raw materials, and navigate complex regulatory approvals. Their distribution networks and market access capabilities will ensure that domestically produced vaccines reach every corner of Pakistan. Leading companies in Pakistan already in the field of Biopharmaceutical manufacturing must be involved in the development process. A realistic implementation roadmap Success requires a phased approach spanning six years. The foundation phase (Years 1-2) must establish policy frameworks and coordination mechanisms while launching capacity-building programmes. Infrastructure development (Years 2-4) involves scaling laboratory manufacturing capabilities, establishing vaccine testing facilities, and launching pilot production programs. The scale-up phase (Years 4-6) transitions to commercial production of EPI vaccines, regulatory approvals, and distribution network establishment. Finally, the optimization phase (Year 6+) expands manufacturing capabilities, develops advanced biologics production, and positions Pakistan as a regional pharmaceutical hub. Financial innovation will be crucial. Blended financing models combining public funding, private investment, and support from institutions like the Islamic Development Bank can mobilise the substantial capital required for drug substance manufacturing facilities. The initial investment may be significant, but the long-term savings and export potential far outweigh the costs. The economic and strategic imperative The benefits extend far beyond health security. 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