ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar has said the government’s foremost priority is to slow down the spread of the COVID-19 as well as improvement in the health care system of the country.
Addressing a press conference in National Command and Operation Centre, Asad Umar said the two most essential components to slow down the COVID-19 outbreak are to follow protective steps advised by medical experts and to bring changes in our lifestyles
The minister further said making the health care system stronger is the other priority of the government. “We cannot impose a long lockdown. Safety precautions are a powerful weapon against the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Asad Umar added that in the last few days the provincial authorities have taken solid measures against those who are violating guidelines. “No one likes to do that but if the guidelines are not being followed strict action will be taken,” he said.
He said district administrations across the country have been given instructions to take strict action against those violating standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the government.
He informed that over 884 areas across the country have been under smart lockdown actions with more than 200,000 people affected, the minister said. Speaking about the country’s health care capacity, the minister said they have ramped up the testing capacity in the country.
He said “Today we have more than 100 labs in the country which can conduct tests. We are also continuously working on increasing our testing capacity.”
The planning minister said the government’s second priority is to improve health services for the citizens. Pakistan is conducting over 22,000 tests daily, he added.
The National Disaster Management Authority had some ventilators which are being released to the provinces as their requirement is increasing, he said.
The minister added that the government also creating a helpline for the doctors where they could complain about a lack of protective gear and the problems they were facing in the hospitals.
In addition, the numbers of ventilators in hospitals across the country have increased by two folds in four months, he said. Moreover, scientific institutions of the country, along with the private sector are producing face masks and protective gear.
He added the government’s future strategy remains the same which is to stem the spread of the virus. The minister urged to take every precaution against the coronavirus, as the global pandemic is far from over.
According to him, the best precaution is being able to stay one meter away from each other, being able to wash your hands, being able to ensure that you don’t touch your mouth, nose, and eyes.
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