Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has set up Rs 5 billion special fund to deal with coronavirus and ordered an indiscriminate crackdown on the mafias involved in hoarding of masks and sanitizers. He was presiding over a meeting of the cabinet committee at his office on Thursday to review the precautionary measures being taken for overcoming the coronavirus.
He said that Rs 236 million have been issued to the Health Department and one billion rupees were allocated as well, he added. The government would provide more resources to safeguard the lives of people. The chief minister ordered for arranging diagnostic kits as soon as possible, adding that there should be no shortage of the kits.
In order to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the Punjab government has directed to open grocery stores and pharmacies for 24 hours across the province while directives have been issued to the cafes, shopping malls and restaurants to shut their shops at 10:00pm.
It may be noted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had reported Pakistan's first two deaths from the novel coronavirus, while over 330 patients are infected with the disease across the country. The Sindh remains the worst-hit province by the pandemic as 213 patients have been tested positive for coronavirus in it. About 45 cases have been confirmed in Balochistan, 33 in Punjab, 19 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 15 in Gilgit-Baltistan, eight in Islamabad and one in Azad Kashmir.
The chief minister also announced to set up a special fund worth 5 billion rupees for overcoming the coronavirus. Rs 236 million were issued to the health department and one billion rupees were allocated as well, he added.
He directed to arrange diagnostic kits as soon as possible adding that there should be no shortage of diagnostic kits. Implementation on the decisions made in the provincial apex committee be ensured in letter and spirit and the government will continue adopting necessary steps to save the lives of the people, he said. He said the Punjab government wants to set up a quarantine facility in Taftaan from its resources and directed the line departments to take steps in collaboration with the Balochistan government.
The meeting also reviewed the proposal of shutting down shopping malls and restaurants at 7:00pm or 8:00pm and chief minister directed that concerned committees should review it and submit their conclusive recommendations at the earliest. He said the role of PDMA is very important in the present-day situation and asked its DG to review the situation by going to the field.
The chief minister said that self-isolation in homes will produce positive results and added that people should be educated about it. He also directed to early complete the process of conducting tests of pilgrims coming from Iran and added that implementation on precautionary steps be ensured in the light of WHO instructions. The government is aware of financial problems of daily-wages employees and a committee has been constituted which will submit its recommendations at the earliest, he said.
The meeting also reviewed to stop marriage ceremonies at homes. He said the number of employees has been sufficiently decreased in government offices. The chief minister directed that purchase process of safety dress and other material for doctors and paramedical staff be completed at the earliest and health department should submit a report to the cabinet committee every day.
The CM also nominated Secretary Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education Barrister Nabeel Awan as provincial focal person for coronavirus. Secretary SH&ME will daily brief the media about the coronavirus situation and the steps being taken by the Punjab government.
Moreover, Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid Thursday inaugurated the Telemedicine Department at King Edward Medical University. Vice Chancellor KEMU Professor Khalid Masood Gondal, CEO Mayo Hospital, Prof. Asad Aslam Khan, Dr Tahir Khalil, Professor Bilqis Shabbir, Professor Dil Awez, Professor Asghar Naqi, Professor Rana Arshad, Professor Ejaz Hussain, Dr Fawad Karim, Tariq Irfan and Professor Haroon Hamid were present at the occasion.
Paying tribute to Prof Khalid Masood Gondal for making the unit functional within just 10 hours, Dr Yasmin Rashid said that the Telemedicine Department is one of a kind initiative that will provide expert advice to the public in medical emergencies like Corona Pandemic. Dr Yasmin Rashid further said: "The Telemedicine Department will provide medical advice from morning 8:00 am to 8: 00 pm. And 12 Professors and Assistant Professors have been deputed to provide medical advice to patients. People can take advice on diseases including COVID-19 from experts through skype and mobile.
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