The Sindh cabinet has approved Rs30 million to purchase coronavirus PCR testing kits as well as the appointment of almost 1,000 staff nurses to deal with the Covid-19 emergency in the province. The Sindh health department had informed the cabinet that 300,000 PCR kits were needed for which the cabinet approved funds and requested the federal government to provide the kits. The cabinet also approved the posting of 958 staff nurses selected by the health department through the Sindh Public Service Commission. The decision was taken after officials said nursing services were needed on an urgent basis during the pandemic.The health department has to ensure they are formally appointed within the next three months. On Thursday, the Grand Health Alliance also met with Additional Secretary DadloZuhrani to discuss the issue of health risk allowance and promotion of nurses under the four tier formula. Zuhrani assured them that their demands would be discussed during the next assembly session. Moreover, the cabinet also announced that the province’s new medical council, the Sindh Medical Commission, has been established to regulate all public and private medical institutes in the province. The provincial government will regulate the fee structure of private medical universities, said a statement from Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah’s office.The quota for admissions would be 95% for students of Sindh and 5% for other provinces.The Sindh health department will share the recommendations with the Pakistan Medical Commission in a letter soon. The provincial health department had announced setting up the Sindh Medical and Dental Council in October. The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council had been dissolved and replaced by the Pakistan Medical Commission through a presidential ordinance in October last year. The Pakistan Medical Commission Act 2020 was passed by the federal government on September 24 this year.
