Highest number of tests conducted during last 24 hours : NCOC

An MoU was also signed between the Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Health

Pakistan conducted 26,573 Covid-19 tests in the last 24 hours, which is the highest single day of tests in the country since the start of the pandemic.

Providing statistics, the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) said a total of 25,730 beds have been allocated for Covid-19 across the country. At least 5,433 oxygenated beds are earmarked only for Covid -19 patients and 368 out of 1400 ventilators are occupied as of today, it added.

The forum also said that 25 portable ventilators were despatched to Karachi by NDMA during last 48 hours whereas more than 61 % ventilators were allocated for Covid-19 patients are available.

“NCOC has complete visibility of the evolving situation and is geared up to deal with any contingency,” the forum said. “These ventilators are only for Covid- 19 patients.  Additional ventilators are also available which would be used on need basis. 1000 additional oxygenated beds would also be procured and rolled out by the end of June.”

At least 250 additional ventilators have been received by provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Gilgit Baltistan (G-B) and Islamabad Capital Territory

In AJK, 379 beds have been allocated along with 43 ventilators. No patient is on a ventilator. In Balochistan 2,148 beds have been allocated along with 36 ventilators. No patient is on a ventilator. In G-B, 151 beds have been allocated along with 28 ventilators. No patient is on a ventilator.

In ICT, 524 beds have been allocated along with 90 ventilators. Eight ventilators are in use. In K-P, 5,110 have been allocated along with 313 ventilators. 76 ventilators are in use.

In Punjab, 9276 beds have been allocated along with 387 ventilators. There are 207 patients on a ventilator. In Sindh, 8,142 beds have been allocated along with 334 ventilators. There are 77 patients on a ventilator.

Of the total ventilators available for emergency use, 602 are available in Karachi, 21 in Hyderabad, 139 in Rawalpindi, 113 in Multan, 366 in Lahore, 56 in Faisalabad, 71 in Peshawar, 12 in Abbottabad, 138 in Islamabad, 21 in G-B, 35 in Quetta.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding indigenous development of 'Electro Medical' devices was signed between Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Health on Thursday.

Ministers for Science and Technology, Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, Prime Minister's Special Assistant on National Health Services Dr Zafar Mirza, Chairman Pakistan Engineering Council and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) were present on the occasion at NCOC in Islamabad.

PHOTO: RADIO PAKISTAN

"Pakistan is in a position to export personal protective equipment," Minister Fawad said. "Currently, exports orders worth 10 million dollars are pending. This ministry will also enhance cooperation with local surgical goods manufacturing companies."

Dr Zafar Mirza said we have improved health care system in Pakistan and soon we will be manufacturing ventilators locally.

The agreement would likely initiate innovation and local engineering solutions in this field and will improve healthcare facilities.

It is reported that it would also pave a way for the innovators to invest multiple electro medical equipment in Pakistan.

As of now, DRAP is regulating electro-medical devices whereas 15 ventilators are in various phases of trials four of which would be completed by PEC by the end of this week.