RAWALPINDI: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar visited Rawalpindi on Tuesday to inspect arrangements made to deal with Covid-19.

Mr Buzdar visited field hospitals established by the district administration to treat Covid-19 patients and inspected the cash distribution process under theEhsaas Kafaalat programme.

He was accompanied by Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid, Commissioner retired Capt Mohammad Mehmood and senior officials.

During his visit to the field hospitals at Sports Complex and the Red Crescent Hospital, Mr Buzdar inspected different wards along with treatment facilities at the Coronavirus Management Centre.

Mr Buzdar said that the 150-bed centre has been established at the Sports Complex and the number of beds can be increased if needed.

“Necessary diagnostic kits have been arranged for patients here besides associating this centre with the Rawalpindi Institute of Urology,” he said.

Intensive care units (ICUs) have also been built in the field hospitals in case of emergencies, he said, adding the Punjab cabinet has already approved the enforcement of a public health emergency in the province.

Commissioner Mehmood gave a briefing about facilities being provided to Covid-19 patients in the field hospital.

Later, Mr Buzdar visited the field hospital set up in the Red Crescent Hospital building. He was received by Pakistan Red Crescent Society Chairman Abrarul Haq.

Mr Haq informed Mr Buzdar that the hospital is equipped with 150 beds, 10 ventilators and an ICU ward along with other essential facilities.

Mr Buzdar said every necessary step was being taken to protect people of the province from the coronavirus. The health advisory is being strictly implemented and screening process at airports has been made more effective, he added.

He said special attention is being paid to training doctors, nurses and paramedics.

Mr Buzdar also inspected the cash distribution process at Ehsas Kafaalat Programme Centre, set up in a government-run school. He interacted with families while they waited in queues to receive financial aid from the government

Mr. Buzdar said 4,966 people would be given Rs12,000 by Wednesday. He added that the programme is based on merit and later distributed hand sanitisers among people.

Gujar Khan

Mr Buzdar on Tuesday said it was the prime duty of every citizen to practice social distancing and follow instructions being announced by the health department to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Mr Buzdar visited a schoolin Gujar Khanwhere cash was being distributed under the Ehsaas Kafaalat programme. He was briefed by Deputy Commissioner retired Capt Anwarul Haq and Assistant Commissioner Hira Rizwan.

Dr Rashid and MPAs Chaudhry Sajid Mahmood and Chaudhry Jawaid Kausar were also present.

The chief minister distributed financial aid, hand sanitisers and masks to citizens.

Published in Dawn, April 15th, 2020