Balochistan to launch ‘healthcare card’

In NCC meeting, CM proposes Covid-19 awareness campaign on social media

QUETTA:

Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal on Tuesday announced to introduce a Health Insurance Card in the province for the public.

“Healthcare is among the top most priority of the incumbent Balochistan government. Health Card Insurance will be introduced very soon in the province through which healthcare facilities will be provided to every citizen of the province,” he said.

The provincial chief executive, during the Balochistan Assembly session assured that the government is fully committed to ensure quality healthcare services to every citizen.

He added that a Balochistan endowment fund has already established by the provincial government and almost 1,200 patients have utilised medical treatment through it.

CM Kamal further said development work on the cancer hospital is still in progress. “Patients will not have to go other provinces for medical treatment with the completion of the cancer hospital project in Quetta.”

The chief minister highlighted how the government is taking every possible option to enhance funds for the Balochistan endowment fund in the next fiscal year budget to facilitate maximum possible patients of the province.

“The government is fully aware of the problem of healthcare and this is the reason why a provincial setup has been working day and night to provide quality health services,” Jam Kamal said, adding that the healthcare card is going to be introduced on the pattern of the federal. “Need of the hour is to implement new and latest mechanism of healthcare in the province.”

Responding to a query pertaining to the incident involving provincial minister Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran, the CM said investigation is underway and people responsible will be dealt with.

NCC meeting

On the other hand, a meeting of the National Coordinating Committee chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan was attended by CM Kamal through a video link. The meeting reviewed the second wave of coronavirus in the country and implementation of SOPs in this regard.

Informing the participants about the prevailing situation of coronavirus in Balochistan, Jam Kamal said concrete steps are being taken to ensure strict implementation of SOPs.

"Shopping malls have been sealed off and restaurants have been urged to take precautionary measures to avoid a second wave of Covid-19," he said.

The CM blamed large public gatherings as the cause of the spread of the virus.

"We have to run an effective awareness campaign using the media in this regard,” he said. “Wearing masks in public places as well as maintaining social distance is very important.”

He added that large political gatherings are taking place in the country at the moment and the situation is becoming alarming. “The decision to ban large gatherings should be implemented.”

The chief minister highlighted that the number of smartphone users across the country is in millions, and we should make the public aware of the dangers of coronavirus through their phones.

He called for the introduction of a digital app that would enable the curriculum to be uploaded at the primary level and for students to be able to continue their learning at home using this app.

Towards the end of the NCC meeting, the CM directed concerned authorities to set up PCR labs in Kharan and Dalbandin and begin a mass testing process. “Cconcrete steps should be taken to ensure all medical equipment and other facilities in the PCR lab.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25^th, 2020.