Punjab calls in Army

As the tally of confirmed novel coronavirus (Covid-19) cases rose to 163 in Punjab, the provincial government on Sunday decided to deploy personnel of Pak Army for the assistance of civil administration. "Currently, the number of coronavirus patients in Punjab is 163 who are being treated "with care" in various state-run hospitals across the province," said Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar while talking to doctors and nurses during his visit to an under-construction quarantine centre at Expo Centre.
"Amid rising coronavirus cases in Punjab, we have decided to depute personnel of the Pak Army for the assistance of civil administration," the chief minister said, adding that the Pak Army has always helped the nation in times of trial and now "we are calling the Pak Army for our help in dealing with the coronavirus".
While inspecting the construction work of the 1000-bed quarantine centre, Buzdar also met with the doctors and nurses who were appointed at the field hospital in special security suits. He said the hospital will be made functional in 10 days, adding that the first phase of it comprising 300-bed will be completed within the next 48 hours. "It will also have a three-time meal arrangement. People are requested to stay at home for the next two days," he added.
The CM said that social distance is utmost necessary for the prevention of the coronavirus, adding that that the Punjab government's political and administrative team is in the field to fight with the virus. "All provincial ministers along with the administration in 36 districts are taking steps to prevent the coronavirus."
The chief minister asserted that the coronavirus issue will be dealt in an "appropriate manner". He said that the issues pointed out in the quarantine centre of DG Khan by Prime Minister Imran Khan during his recent visit had been resolved.
He said that instructions for launching a crackdown against profiteers and hoarders have been given to the administration and the people will not be left alone. "There is no food shortage in the province. We have set up high dependency units in each district and five special hospitals are also being established," he added.
Buzdar said the Punjab government has recently done the mapping of hostels across the province which can also be utilized in case of coronavirus spread. Currently, we can provide medical treatment to 100,000 patients. Coronavirus is a national issue, it should not be politicised, he urged.
He announced that the salaries of daily wagers will continue to be paid and a committee has been constituted under the supervision of the provincial finance minister for safeguarding the financial rights of the daily wagers in private sectors as well. This committee will submit its recommendations in the Cabinet Committee meeting to be held on March 24, he maintained.
The CM said the Punjab government is in touch with the federal government and the data of patients is being shared with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on regular basis. "Most of the corona-patients are devotees or those who had travel history."
He disclosed that the Punjab government is going to give Rs 1 billion to the Balochistan government as it needs resources to take care for the people at Taftaan border. He said they have received diagnostic kits while ventilators are also coming to the country. We are going to recruit 8,000-10,000 new doctors and paramedical staff on an emergency basis and the approval for this initiative will be given in the coming cabinet meeting, he revealed.
On the occasion, commissioner Lahore gave a detailed briefing to the CM on the ongoing work in the field hospital while Provincial Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid, Information Minister Fayyaz-ul-Hassan Chohan, MPA Mussarat Jamshed Cheema, chief secretary, additional chief secretary urbanization and infrastructure, secretary specialized health and medical education, principal secretary to CM, CCPO Lahore, secretary primary and secondary health, secretary information and deputy commissioner were also present.