'Insufficient facilities' to combat virus: SC to resume hearing of suo motu notice on April 13

The Supreme Court will resume suo motu hearing on April 13 regarding steps taken by the federal, all the four provinces and Gilgit-Baltistan governments and Islamabad Capital Territory administration to combat spread of the coronavirus.

A five-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed on April 7 had directed the federal/provinces and GB governments to file reports on measures regarding opening of the OPDs, testing capacity of coronavirus, safety of doctors, paramedical staff, vision of quarantine and establishing quarantine centres at Taftan, Chaman and Torkham borders.

The court had noted that from these points - Taftan, Chaman and the Torkham borders - people enter into Pakistan.

Initially most of the coronavirus cases came to Pakistan from these areas.

The court had directed federal, provincial and Gilgit-Baltistan governments to ensure providing personal protective equipment (PPEs) to the doctors and para-medic treating the coronavirus patients.

The bench had directed that the PPEs be manufactured in Pakistan as there was facility and resources available within the country because the imported PPE cost Rs7,200 per kit. However, if it is manufactured in Pakistan then it would cost Rs1,500 per kit.

Dr Zafar Mirza, Advisor to PM for Health, Dr Sania Nishtar, Advisor to the PM on Ehsaas Programme and Lt Gen Muhammad Afzal, chairman NDMA had given detailed briefing to the judges in chambers regarding the steps taken by the federal government to combat the coronavirus crisis and its impact.

Lt Gen Muhammad Afzal had informed about the procurement, availability of the PPEs, ventilators, masks and other essential items, process of disbursement to all hospitals marked for preventing the COVID-19 with the help of armed forces personnel.

The federal, provincial and GB governments were directed to file comprehensive reports on all the issues by Monday (April 13).