QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani has directed the health authorities to immediately contact the federal government for providing testing kits and other equipment to improve the province’s capability to fight Covid-19.

Presiding over a meeting on Tuesday, he expressed satisfaction over the steps taken so far in the fight against coronavirus, but said that the people were not taking the danger of the second wave of Covid-19 seriously. This could increase the cases of deadly virus in the province, he added.

The meeting reviewed the overall situation of Covid-19 and measures taken by the health department and other institutions in the province to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

The chief minister said poor implementation of the proactive measures could affect the people in Balochistan.

He directed the health authorities to increase testing capacity in Quetta and other towns and cities of the province.

Mr Alyani ordered strictly implementation of SOPs issued by the authorities in view of second wave of the Covid-19.

He directed that steps should be taken for creating awareness among the people.

Official sources said that the meeting decided that wearing of face mask should be strictly ensured in all government offices.

Health Secretary Noorul Haq briefed the chief minister about the Covid-19 situation, implementation of proactive measures and increasing the testing capacity.

Other officials informed the meeting about their responsibilities.

Provincial Minister Mohammad Khan Tour Otmankhail, parliamentary secretaries Dr Rababa Buledi and Danesh Kumar, Inspector General of Police Mohsin Hassan Butt, a representative of the Southern Command and other officials attended the meeting.

Published in Dawn, November 4th, 2020