QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani on Sunday said that Rs50 million had been allocated for establishing PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) laboratories in the province, adding that more funds would be provided for improving facilities in district hospitals.

He said that 11 district hospitals in the province had been given the status of teaching hospitals where PCR laboratories were going to be set up along with Covid-19 testing and other medical facilities.

Mr Alyani said the recruitment was being done in the health department to meet the shortage of staff, which would also help reduce unemployment in the province to some extent.

He said the performance of medical and paramedical staff of Fatima Jinnah Chest and General Hospital dedicated to the spirit of humanitarian service was commendable. He said the staff of the hospitals had been working hard since first Covid-19 cases were reported. New wards with all required equipment and health facilities had also been established, he added.

“The government is taking effective steps to promote health, education and tourism in Balochistan,” he said.

Published in Dawn, December 7th, 2020