The number of recovered patients is steadily increasing in the province as another 25 patients from Mayo returned to their homes after successful recoveries, said Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid on Saturday.
The minister said a total of 168 patients from different Lahore Hospitals have returned to their homes so far. Overall, from all hospitals in Punjab, the number of recovered patients has exceeded 650. She said the data of suspected, confirmed, and recovered patients is analyzed on daily basis.
The Minister said, “We have increased the testing capacity in Punjab and it is being further scaled up. So far we have conducted over 52500 tests in Punjab. With enhanced capacity, we will be able to improve efforts to control Corona virus and ensure better and timely treatment.”
Dr. Yasmin Rashid further added, “We are taking all out measures and are positive that we will be able to keep the Pandemic under control. We will have to stop the transmission of virus to bring life back to normal. I request all people to respect the lockdown and stay indoors. The people over 60 years of age must take special care of themselves and restrict movement. Meanwhile, the OPDs of all hospitals including Lahore are open for patients.”
“The out-patient departments (OPDs) have been functional at all government hospitals in Punjab including Lahore,” provincial health minister said. Dr Yasmeen Rashid advised the people to be more careful during softening of the lockdown.
The minister in an earlier media talk said that personal protective equipment being provided to all the health professionals in the province. She said that the provincial government will conduct 10,000 tests for COVID-19 at community and UC levels from the next week.
Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin received protective items for frontline workers worth Rs 10 million from MCB Limited Chairman Mian Mansha Saturday.
Present on the occasion were Additional Secretary SHME Department Asif Tufail, President MCB Imran Maqbool, Hassan Nawaz Tarar and other officials. The Health Minister said that the donation comprises N95 masks, protective gears as well as gloves, goggles and shoes. The Minister expressed gratitude to the Chairman MCB Mian Mansha for the donation worth Rs. 10 million for the front-line workers currently serving in dedicated hospitals for Corona Pandemic.
Dr Yasmin Rashid said, “The philanthropists and organizations working to support the government in its battle against the Corona Pandemic deserve appreciation from the government. In these testing times, we can win this battle by collective efforts. The MCB has displayed very good example of Corporate Social Responsibility and I pray to the Almighty to accept this act of kindness and generosity.”
