Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid has said that the Punjab government is providing best possible treatment to Covid-19 patients in public sector hospitals, all required resources are available and the government is reviewing the situation every 24 hours.
Speaking at a press conference at the Chief Minister Secretariat, the minister said that data on number of patients, treatment, tests, medicine procurement and available resources is being shared with people on daily basis which was appreciated by the Punjab Information Commission.
Dr Yasmin Rashid said that there were rumours and speculations in media about the treatment and other facilities related to the corona situation and the facts needed to be shared with people. As per directions from Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, the minister said all the figures and statistics of patients, tests and medicine procurement are being regularly shared on the department website to maintain transparency. There has been an increase in the number of patients and the expenses made so far are routinely shared on official websites with complete detail of new cases, ventilators, beds and other information.
The minister said, “Through Rescue1122, patient transfer facility to nearest hospitals has been provided and its coordination is linked with the Central Control Room. As many as 303 ventilators are available for corona patients and currently 64 critically ill patients are on ventilators. If symptoms appear, people must contact the Rescue 1122 instead of self-isolation at home.
A control room has been set up at the Mayo Hospital where data of patients at govt and private hospitals are available. The Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department has introduced an App in its Corona Monitoring Unit where complete information of patients, beds and facilities will be available.”
The minister further said, “I reemphasize that the government is spending public money on people in a transparent manner and all expenses are routinely updated at the official website. The CEAG, under its Chairman, shares the findings and experiences of treatment of patients with the committee on daily basis.
Responding to the queries, the minister said that the lockdown was announced as a last option and during the lockdown the government developed its resources to combat the pandemic during the time. She said nobody will be allowed to disrupt the treatment of corona patients in Punjab. The minister also said that the Punjab Public Service Commission will start interview for the hiring of doctors, nurses and paramedics very soon while observing the Social Distancing SOPs.
