'We Care' drive to be launched to protect health professionals fighting coronavirus

Health workers, doctors will get training and provided counselling and stress management facilities amid pandemic

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of National Health Services will launch a 'We Care' campaign for the protection of frontline healthcare workers fighting against the Covid-19 pandemic across the country.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health, Dr Zafar Mirza apprised the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) meeting chaired by Planning Minister Asad Umar that the draft of guidelines of the campaign has been prepared which would be shared with provincial health ministers for further implementation.

The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) on Tuesday was apprised that
the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination was going to launch the campaign ‘WE CARE ’ for the protection of the healthcare workers#COVID19

1/9 pic.twitter.com/yol2zQ6kPR

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) May 12, 2020

He said that the drive is aimed at bringing all medical workforce on the same page "for using personal protective equipment (PPEs), link PPE utilisation with supply, and bridge gaps among hospitals".

According to an official statement, around 100,000 health workers will get training on the guidelines through webinars, and telehealth portal will be used in this process where it would also provide counselling and stress management facilities to doctors.

The NCOC directed to ensure implementation of health standard operating procedures (SOPs) and proper training of doctors and paramedics fighting on the frontline against the novel coronavirus.



Speaking on the occasion, Asad Umar who is also head of the NCOC, said that there is a need to devise new strategy and planning to prepare for the new situation following ease in restrictions of coronavirus lockdown post May 9.

He directed all the ministers and authorities concerned to come up with draft plans aimed to deal with the future scenarios as ease in the lockdown is likely to increase pressure on the healthcare system and administration, and which is likely to persist till June and July.

Interior Minister Brig (retd) Ejaz Shah, Industries and Production Minister Hammad Azhar, Food Minister Syed Fakhar, Adviser to the PM on Commerce Textile and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood, PM’s Focal Person on Covid-19 and others attended the meeting.