Centre announces seven-point package for healthcare workers

Tax concessions, financial support, training, martyr package part of the deal: Dr Zafar Mirza

The federal government announced a seven-point special package for healthcare workers on Friday, to acknowledge their efforts and sacrifices on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic.

Addressing the media at the National Command and Operation Centre, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza announced the details of the package, which the government claims, has been prepared after consultation with all stakeholders.

According to Dr Mirza, seven-point package would entail:

1) tax concessions for all healthcare workers. Besides, a Martyrs Package has been announced by the federation, which would include financial assistance to families of healthcare workers, who lose their lives during the pandemic. The package would range from Rs3 million to Rs10 million depending on their ranking grade.

2) weekly needs of hospitals across the country will be assessed in cooperation with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to protect frontline health workers and ensure the provision of masks and safety kits.

3) security of hospitals will be made foolproof - in response to reports of healthcare workers being harassed by relatives of coronavirus patients.

4) a code of conduct is being drafted in collaboration with Pemra to prevent defaming of healthcare workers in the media.

5) training has been initiated on two fronts - a short course for 5,000 intensive care workers has begun in collaboration with experts from a Chinese university. A 1,000 healthcare workers have already been trained under this course, claimed Dr Mirza.

Besides, under the name of 'We Care' training programme healthcare workers are being trained online on safety measures, said Dr Mirza, adding that a 100,000 healthcare workers will be trained under the programme, and 20,000 have been trained already.

6) Besides, emotional support is being provided under 'Psycho Social Support' which will provide support and training on psychological issues. A helpline in this regard on 1166 is being expanded. Experts will be available to provide guidance and support for healthcare workers.

7) the State Bank of Pakistan has introduced a scheme called 'Refinance Facility for Covid-19' under which loans are being provided to private hospitals on 'easy' terms so that the healthcare facilities may enhance their capacity. Imports of hospitals would be tax-deductible and efforts would be made to ensure tax concessions.

Dr Mirza added that three per cent of healthcare workers in Pakistan are fighting the pandemic, which is a lower figure than in other countries. However, if a healthcare worker contracts the disease, or if their family does, they will be provided tests and medications on a priority basis, he said.

He further added that programmes are being organised to ensure that the nation always remembers the 'sacrifices of these great martyrs'.