We, the undersigned physicians, healthcare workers, entrepreneurs, academics, businesspersons and others of Pakistani and SouthAsian origin, and allies and friends of SouthAsia, extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of all those who have lost their lives to Covid-19 in India and stand with them in their hour of grief and pain.

We fear that the crisis India is facing now has the potential to engulf other countries with similar healthcare systems. We must use the lessons learnt from the colossal tragedy in India to introspect and take urgent action now to prevent similar crises elsewhere. 

We observe the similarities between SouthAsian nations like Pakistan and India where the poor are left to fend for themselves, and even those with the means are stretched for resources when a calamity of such proportions overpowers already underfunded healthcare systems. 

We stand in solidarity with the people of India as they face the needless tragedies catalysed by the coronavirus pandemic. Many of us are helping them through various means, while physicians among us regularly extend pro bono telemedicine help to colleagues and patients in India.

We urge all governments, particularly India and Pakistan, to use this time of crisis as an opportunity to urgently work on repairing and investing not only in their healthcare systems but also their relations with each other and embrace with solidarity. 

It is beyond time particularly for nuclear-armed Pakistan and India heading into the 75th year of independence from colonial rule to work actively to decrease hostilities and spend more resources on health, education and poverty. 

This is imperative for the sake of our coming generations and the future of our planet.