KARACHI ( WEB NEWS )
With the increase of COVID-19 cases, Pakistan’s leading e-commerce platform Daraz has collaborated with global health delivery and research network Interactive Research Development (IRD) to spread awareness of the novel coronavirus and the ensuing pandemic. In collaboration with Daraz, IRD has distributed safety awareness flyers in Daraz packages across Pakistan. The two organizations stand together to ensure safety for all as the rate of infection intensifies.
Daraz also hosted an informative session live with Dr. Kamran Iqbal, Program Manager for the IRD Model COVID – 19 Response, to discuss the IRD COVID-19 model and address questions related to COVID-19 management. His expertise allowed him to talk about the IRD Model and oxygen therapy and its importance with respect to COVID-19 and debunked myths related to the virus and elucidated in detail how to continue to work safely during the second wave. Dr. Kamran added, “The idea behind the IRD Model was to distribute the COVID-19 patients burden in hospitals, training health centers for oxygen therapy and equipping them for free so that they can take better care of patients.”
Almira Butt, Head of CSR at Daraz said, “In this difficult time of COVID, we always seek to support organizationsthat have been working tirelessly for the health and wellbeing of our people. Collaborating with IRD, we aim to provide awareness and access to information vital to fight the pandemic as a responsible nation.”
Aneeta Pasha, Country Director for IRD Pakistan and Program Director for PursukoonZindagi said: “As we prepare for the already rapidly increasing new cases, it is necessary to bring lifesaving services and preventative care closer to those in need. In using this integrated approach, IRD is building community – and patient-centered responses to the COVID pandemic.”
IRD has partnerships with 200 general physicians (GPs) across all districts of Karachi. Under this initiative, IRD is training and equipping general physicians to use large volume oxygen cylinders, nasal cannulas, masks, PPEs, and pulse oximeters, all free of cost. Daraz will be supporting the cause by spreading awareness through its multiple channels and help in reminding the nation about how critical the pandemic could be if not taken seriously.
Previously, the platform has also partnered with IRD to conduct mental health awareness sessions for external and internal audiences and the partnership will continue providing support in the future as well. Moreover, individuals can also call PursukoonZindagi’s free-of-cost helpline at 0213-713-3332 to receive mental health support and counseling from a trained mental health counselor.
Daraz has partnered with 30+ organizations in the past to support COVID affectees and saw an increase of 270% in its charity and donations in the previous year. The idea behind partnering with IRD was to bolster the strategy of spreading awareness 19 while using its growing user-base as an opportunity and to negate the myths associated with treatments for COVID-19.