Government constantly increasing medical capabilities to cope with Covid-19: Umar

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar has said that the government is constantly increasing medical capabilities to meet the challenge of coronavirus pandemic.

The minister expressed these views, while talking to media, during his visit to the newly-constructed Isolation Centre and Infectious Diseases Hospital along with Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lt General Muhammad Afzal in Islamabad on Saturday morning.

The Isolation Centre and Infectious Diseases Hospital has been constructed with the cooperation of China. China provided $4 million for the construction of this hospital.

The minister said that a specialised NDMA Hospital was set up on the directive of Prime Minister Imran Khan, adding 250-bed Isolation Centre and Infectious Diseases Hospital had been built only in 45 days in the Federal Capital Territory with the support of China.

He said there was a shortage of oxygen supplies at some hospitals, and they had installed oxygen supply systems at some facilities. He said the capacity of beds had been increased by 189 at district hospitals in Islamabad.

The minister said the government was making efforts to curb the spread of deadly coronavirus, while keeping the economy going. He said coronavirus situation was improving in the country; however, if people were not careful then there would be consequences.

While praising healthcare professionals, he said medical staff fought coronavirus with the spirit of nationalism, adding the government was constantly increasing medical capabilities to meet the challenge of coronavirus pandemic and other diseases.

He also praised the role of the masses in those difficult times, and further said that following precautionary measures issued by the government would help in controlling the spread of the novel coronavirus and keeping people healthy.

The minister said the precautionary measures for the coronavirus were very simple and basic. "You have to wear masks and practice social distancing. You have to take care of yourself. Take precautions, listen to your doctors and stay healthy. If people don't follow the instructions then it will be difficult to control the spread of the coronavirus," he said.

He said the cases in Pakistan were increasing but they had now been controlled to a certain extent, adding the difference was quite evident.

The federal minister thanked the country's doctors, paramedical staff and health workers for working round the clock. "This is the perfect example of Pakistan at its best as everyone has been doing their part to fight the virus," Umar said.

Earlier, the minister along with the NDMA chairman visited various departments of the hospital. The minister during his visit appreciated the staff of the hospital and the NDMA.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020