STAFF REPORTERS
SARGODHA/PESHAWAR National Highways and Motorway Police on Thursday announced ban on entry passenger buses and vans in the Motorway network to make lockdown against coronavirus successful, said a press release issued here. However vehicles carrying goods, petroleum products and daily use items with minimum staff would be allowed. Private vehicles with maximum two passengers giving valid reason of travelling would also be allowed to enter the network. To tackle the threat from novel coronavirus, Governor Punjab, Ch. Mohammad Sarwar inaugurated ‘Telemedicine Center’ at its facilitation center through video link at Sargodha University on Thursday, to stop overcrowding of hospitals and to ensure the public safety as stay at home. The people could get free clinical services of consultation, diagnosis and e-prescription from medical experts during 8:00 am to 8:00 pm through call, Whatsapp and Skype. Addressing the ceremony through video link, Ch. Mohammad Sarwar said, ‘We are extending the scope of corona telemedicine helpline all over the Punjab, so as to provide instant advisory and awareness regarding corona hazards.’ He said that more than 15000 persons, who were doubtful of being affected by coronavirus, contacted corona telemedicine helpline center. Maximum awareness and guidance was being ensured to those contacting telemedicine centers, he added. Appreciating the initiatives taken by Sargodha University against COVID-19, the Governor said ‘Steps were being taken to setup such centers that if large number of people rushed to hospitals along with their family members then they will be more vulnerable to danger of corona spread that is why people are time and again advised to avoid crowded places and stay home and follow safety measures as we jointly have to defeat corona.’ Speaking on the occasion, the Vice Chancellor Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad said that telemedicine centers could be the answer in the wake of global pandemic as it prevents emergency rooms from being overcrowded, and limits exposure among healthcare workers to infected individuals as their safety is much more important. He appreciated the role and service of all the doctors, nurses and paramedics who are working in very vulnerable circumstances as frontline soldiers. Meanwhile, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Shah Farman inaugurated telemedicine project at Khyber Medical University (KMU) Peshawar to reduce the burden on hospitals and clinics in the wake of Coronavirus situation. The project would help provide free of cost consultation as well as prescription to the patients online especially to the remote areas and tribal districts of the province. Among others, KMU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Arshad Javaid, Registrar Prof. Dr. Saleem Gandapur, Project In charge Telemedicine Dr. Abdul Jalil Khan, Dr. Muhammad Jawad and Dr. Kashif Ali were also present at the occasion
