While the number of corona positive cases is on the rise across country, the Punjab government Wednesday formally launched "Corona Tele Medicine Web Portal" and Corona Mobile app.
Punjab Governor Ch Mohammad Sarwar launched both the services here at the University of Health Sciences (UHS) on Wednesday. Vice chancellor UHS Dr Javed Akram, former Justice Tassadaque Hussein Jillani, Dr Amjad Saqib, Dr Rizwan Naseer and others were also present.
'Corona Emergency Fund' has also been created with funds of Rs 20 million. Islamic Aid London Head Mehmoodul Hassan and President of Sarwar Foundation have announced Rs 10 million each for this fund.
Akhuwat Foundation has also announced provision of free ration to the poor families affected by Corona virus. Young Doctors Association (YDA) has assigned duties to 150 doctors for "Corona Tele Medicine Web Portal".
As per statistics made available, the coronavirus cases in Pakistan have surged to 254 as 181 patients have been tested positive for the epidemic in Sindh, 33 in Punjab, 19 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 16 in Balochistan, four in Islamabad and three in Gilgit-Baltistan. Arrangements have been made to quarantine 5,000 people in DG Khan, Bahawalpur and Multan.
Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar Wednesday chaired the meeting of provincial apex committee which was attended by Corps Commander Lahore Lt-Gen Majid Ehsan, General Officer Commanding 10-Division Maj-Gen Muhammad Aneeq-ur-Rehman Malik, DG Rangers Punjab Maj Gen Muhammad Amir Majeed, Law Minister Raja Basharat, Health Minister Dr Yasmeen Rashid, Chief Secretary, IG Police, ACS (Home) and high level civil and military officials.
The meeting reviewed the steps being taken to deal with coronavirus as well as the future roadmap, and decided to effectively implement the action plan against coronavirus. The military leadership assured their full cooperation to the civil government. It was also decided to make the screening and movement system at entry points of Punjab more effective.
Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said there is no option except to win the war against coronavirus and both political as well as military leadership is on one page to deal with this pandemic.
Corps Commander Lt-Gen Majid Ehsan said the Punjab government is taking effective steps for dealing with coronavirus. It is a national cause and we will fully support the civil government, he added.
The meeting also pondered over the proposal to set up quarantine facility in Taftaan by the Punjab government and another proposal was also reviewed to change Hajj Terminal in Lahore as a quarantine centre for the suspected passengers. The ACS (Home) and health secretaries briefed on coronavirus related situation and precautionary measures.
On the directions of Punjab government, Lahore General Hospital has established a helpline to guide coronavirus patients on telephone. The helpline number is 042-99268808-9 and doctors also been deputed in this regard for guidance of the masses.
Principal Post Graduate Medical Institute Prof Muhammad Al-fareed Zafar said that public service message through SMS facility has also been started to spread awareness on corona virus and these message would be delivered to all the doctors, civil society, media and people related to the medical field. He also assured that one patient one attendant policy would also be implemented in letter and spirit.