ISLAMABAD: Representatives of the Chinese company, Sinovac, have expressed an interest in forming partnerships for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases through investment in the health sector of Pakistan.

A delegation from the company, led by its General Manager Qiang Gao, assured Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday that they were ready to start projects in Pakistan.

During the meeting, it was decided that the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) will form a task force for the projects proposed by Sinovac so that the process of implementation of work could be expedited. The company has already supplied millions of Covid-19 vaccine doses and played a major role towards boosting the immunity level of the masses against the disease.

The premier said increasing foreign direct investment in Pakistan was one of the top priorities of the government.

The meeting was attended by Sinovac’s Director (International Business) Kevin Zhang, Minister for NHS Abdul Qadir Patel, National Institute of Health (NIH) Executive Director Prof Dr Aamer Ikram and other relevant officials.

The prime minister welcomed the investment offer made by the Chinese company and directed Mr Patel to form a task force to oversee the project proposed by company.

Meanwhile, a two-day special campaign was launched in Islamabad for administration of the Covid-19 booster shot.

According to District Health Office Dr Zaeem Zia, the administration of Covid-19 booster shots was launched as per directions of the Centre for Diseases Control (CDC) NIH and the ministry of NHS.

“The main objective of the campaign is to encourage Covid-19 vaccination; 16 camps have been designated in addition to the already established vaccination centres from where citizens can get themselves vaccinated.

“CDC, NIH and the ministry of NHS have urged public and private offices to instruct their officials to get Covid-19 booster shots to enhance immunity against the virus,” Dr Zia said while talking to Dawn.

Letters were written to different departments, advising them to ensure that their staff got the booster dose to minimise the chances of infection, he added.

Published in Dawn, May 18th, 2022