ISLAMABAD, (TLTP): While giving an update on COVID-19 preventive measures to Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Gulzar Ahmed on Wednesday, the government functionaries apprised that emergencies in all hospitals are in operation round the clock whereas private hospitals have not been restricted to operate during the lockdown as they can operate after fulfilling health protocols as suggested by WHO.
The Chief Justice was informed during a meeting over preventive measures for COVID-19 in Supreme Court on Wednesday where he raised issues regarding closure of OPDs, testing capacity of coronavirus, safety of doctors, paramedical staff, vision of quarantine and steps taken so far by the government functionaries.
During the meeting chaired by the Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed , Dr Zafar Mirza Advisor to PM on Health briefed the participants about the current statistics and response of the government at federal and provincial levels and WHO protocols.
While giving a briefing about preventive and precautionary measures taken so far by the government at all levels to fight this pandemic, Dr Mirza informed about the future roadmap to tackle the issue saying emergencies in all hospitals are open round the clock. He said private hospitals have not been restricted to operate during lockdown. They can operate after fulfilling health protocols as suggested by WHO.
About passengers coming from foreign countries he informed that all the passengers are being quarantined as per WHO protocols whereas health staff is being trained on daily basis to enhance capabilities.
Advisor to PM on Ehsas Programme Dr Sania Nishtar briefed the meeting expressing that due to outbreak of deadly virus the economic activities are at halts, people are jobless. She told that the government has initiated programme to help as many as 12 million families under Ehsas Programme through which Rs.12000/- to each family (one time payment) are being disbursed to the poor, deserving and jobless people earmarked through NADRA software and already available record of BISP.
She added that the amount will be disbursed after biometric verification. Health protocols and preventive measures to control outbreak of COVID-19 at the places of disbursement will also be taken care of.
Chairman NDMA Lt. Gen Muhammad Afzal briefed about the procurement, availability of PPEs, ventilators, masks and other essential items, process of disbursement to all hospitals marked for preventing COVID-19 with the help of armed personnel. He also informed that more laboratories are being made to enhance testing capacity.
Four judges of the apex court who participated in the meeting are Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel, Justice Sajjad Ali Shah and Justice Qazi Muhammad Amin Ahmed. Khalid Jawed Khan Attorney General for Pakistan, Dr. Tanvir Ahmed Qureshi Secretary Health, Ali Raza Bhutta Secretary Poverty Elevation and Social Safety Division. Yousaf Khan Secretary BISP, DG Health and Hazma Shafqat Deputy Commissioner Islamabad and Khawaja Daud Ahmad Registrar Supreme Court also attended the meeting.
In his concluding remarks that Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed thanked the government functionaries for detailed briefing on the important issues and wish them good luck expressing his sanguine that the government functionaries should work hard to achieve the success in this pandemic situation.
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