PM emphasises need for reliable data on Covid-19
Prime Minister expresses sorrow over deaths of Pakistanis in abroad Pakistanis stranded in Afghanistan start returning home Friday One million youth registered with corona relief force so far: Usman Dar
Decision-makers need accurate data in order to tackle the coronavirus situation, Prime Minister Imran Khan said at a meeting of the National Command and Operation Centre, convened to review measures to cope with the disease during Ramadan.
The meeting decided to establish quarantine facilities in all major cities across the country to treat Covid-19 patients.
The coronavirus causes the Covid-19 respiratory disease.
“The prime minister was concerned over media reports that a few hundred people have died in just one hospital in Karachi over the past week, and a recent statement by the Edhi Welfare Trust that it has received more than 300 bodies over the last 15 days (see accompanying report).
“So he ordered a compilation of accurate data about Covid-19 patients and the number of deaths,” a meeting participant said.
The prime minister said that the authorities concerned should know the area-wise spread of the disease so that policy-makers, doctors and care-givers could assess the magnitude of the task on their hands.
The source quoted Khan as saying: “We must know the number of fatalities in a given area and the cause of death, so that not every death is accounted for as that from Covid-19.”
The prime minister directed the authorities concerned to build a facility in every major city of the country on the lines of a 250-bed quarantine centre in Islamabad, established by the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO). Health minister Dr Zafar Mirza, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health, apprised the meeting about the tracking, testing and quarantine facilities available in the country.
He dwelt on the number of coronavirus patients and the number of deaths and projections about the disease.
Lieutenant-General Mohamed Afzal, the chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), informed the meeting about arrangements being made for distribution of medical equipment to hospitals handling coronavirus cases.
The prime minister expressed satisfaction over reopening of some low-risk businesses, but advised the nation not to lower its guard and stick with precautionary measures.
“People must maintain social distancing and in case they go to crowded places they must wear masks,” Khan said.
He also stressed the need for launching an awareness campaign, especially for people in
remote areas, about steps they should take to protect themselves from the coronavirus.
The prime minister was briefed about a plan being prepared to educate the public about precautions to be followed while attending congregational prayers during Ramadan.
“The prime minister intends to call a meeting of leading ulema to thrash out guidelines in this regard,” the source said.
He lauded the services rendered by doctors and paramedical staff to cope with the epidemic, describing them as “Mujahids in the war against coronavirus”.
Later, while speaking with National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser in Islamabad, Prime Minister Khan said that parliament is an institution of the people’s aspirations and that it is imperative to keep parliament effective and functional in the prevailing situation.
Qaiser said that the meetings of the various parliament standing
committees are being held through video link to make the lower house effective in the prevailing situation.
He apprised the prime minister of parliamentary committee’s recommendations regarding the coronavirus pandemic.
They exchanged views about holding virtual sessions of the National Assembly.
Khan said that the government is paying special attention to an effective policy about agriculture sector, and that the sector will be promoted after being given special importance in the budget.
Meanwhile, the prime minister has expressed deep grief and sorrow over the deaths of Pakistanis living and working abroad due to coronavirus.
In his tweets yesterday, he said that many died while serving in the frontline of the global war against Covid-19.
Commiserating with the bereaved families, the prime minister also prayed for early recovery of those still battling the virus.
Khan said that we must “never forget overseas Pakistanis who continue to do us proud and are our greatest asset”.
He said the overseas Pakistanis are playing a critical role in the country’s development through remittances and charity work.
Yesterday Pakistanis stranded in Afghanistan due to the coronavirus lockdown started returning via the Torkham border.
The decision to allow their return was taken at a flag meeting held between the Afghan and Pakistani authorities at the Torkham border.
Two hundred Pakistanis were expected to be allowed back yesterday, while 500 are to return today.
Meanwhile, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Youth Affairs Usman Dar has said 1mn youths have so far registered with the Corona Relief Tiger Force.
Addressing a news conference in Islamabad yesterday, he said that these included 626,000 from Punjab, 146,000 from Sindh, and 136,000 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The official said that this force comprises of teachers, health workers, engineers, lawyers, doctors, and people belonging to other segments of the society.