People urged to avoid unnecessary travel
Health minister says required equipment provided to staff in tertiary, DHQ and THQ hospitals
PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE:
The number of COVID-19 patients in the province has increased after positive test results from among a group of travellers being kept in isolation in Dera Ghazi Khan following their return from Iran recently.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid said 736 people have been kept in isolation in DG Khan and are being monitored for coronavirus symptoms. “All out facilities have been provided to them.” Punjab Information Minister Fayyaz Chohan, MPA Musarrat Jamshed Cheema and Sumera Malik were also present at the press conference.
The health minister said that in order to ensure the best possible services, a medical emergency was imposed in the province last week. She informed the media that after the recent meeting of the National Security Council, a ban was imposed on all public gatherings and religious congregations, whereas educational institutions have been closed down.
She further said that in the current situation, people must restrict unnecessary movement. “The Auqaf department has closed down all shrines.”
All you need to know about coronavirus testing in Pakistan
We are requesting people to restrict themselves to homes and stop unnecessary movement, she pleaded. “We have not locked down markets and are trying our best so that public life returns to normal.”
The minister said the government had taken these steps under difficult circumstances.
The provincial minister elaborated, “The stakeholders in our society must play their role in controlling the pandemic. There is no justification, whatsoever, of a strike of doctors in such circumstances.”
All necessary equipment has been provided to the staff in tertiary care, DHQ and THQ hospitals, she claimed. “China has made great progress in containing the virus.”
As per the prime minister’s directives, all provinces are working in close coordination, she maintained. “As Punjab is the largest province, we have the largest number of travellers coming in and, therefore, a large number of tests are being conducted here.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 18th, 2020.
The number of COVID-19 patients in the province has increased after positive test results from among a group of travellers being kept in isolation in Dera Ghazi Khan following their return from Iran recently.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid said 736 people have been kept in isolation in DG Khan and are being monitored for coronavirus symptoms. “All out facilities have been provided to them.” Punjab Information Minister Fayyaz Chohan, MPA Musarrat Jamshed Cheema and Sumera Malik were also present at the press conference.
The health minister said that in order to ensure the best possible services, a medical emergency was imposed in the province last week. She informed the media that after the recent meeting of the National Security Council, a ban was imposed on all public gatherings and religious congregations, whereas educational institutions have been closed down.
She further said that in the current situation, people must restrict unnecessary movement. “The Auqaf department has closed down all shrines.”
All you need to know about coronavirus testing in Pakistan
We are requesting people to restrict themselves to homes and stop unnecessary movement, she pleaded. “We have not locked down markets and are trying our best so that public life returns to normal.”
The minister said the government had taken these steps under difficult circumstances.
The provincial minister elaborated, “The stakeholders in our society must play their role in controlling the pandemic. There is no justification, whatsoever, of a strike of doctors in such circumstances.”
All necessary equipment has been provided to the staff in tertiary care, DHQ and THQ hospitals, she claimed. “China has made great progress in containing the virus.”
As per the prime minister’s directives, all provinces are working in close coordination, she maintained. “As Punjab is the largest province, we have the largest number of travellers coming in and, therefore, a large number of tests are being conducted here.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 18th, 2020.