Staff Reporter
Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid on Friday warned that Delta variant could pose a serious threat in the fourth wave of Corona pandemic in Punjab.
“Pakistan is facing the 4th wave of the pandemic and the presence of Delta variant poses a huge challenge.”
Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid was delivering a lecture to civil servants, completing promotional course for Grade 18 to 19 at the Management and Professional Development Department. The minister said that the third wave was deadlier than the previous two waves.
Secretary MPDD Ali Tahir and a large number of officers completing the course attended the lecture.
Dr Yasmin Rashid also elaborated policies and priorities of the government and progress made on the corona pandemic so far, Universal Health Coverage, Sustainable Development Goals and future goals of the health department.
The health minister said that improvement in healthcare services and facilitation of common man is one of top priorities of the Prime Minister.
“Corona pandemic engulfed the entire planet within a short span of time as the virus is mutating at faster pace and its new variants are continuously emerging.” The minister said the entire world has appreciated the way Pakistan dealt with the pandemic.
“The role of the NCOC was pivotal in controlling the corona pandemic as it has provided strategic leadership both technically and administratively to all provinces”, she pointed out, adding that Pakistan and Punjab have battled the pandemic bravely although the third wave was deadlier as mortality was greater during this wave.
The minister said that vaccination is being gradually scaled up and currently Punjab has averaged 350,000 daily vaccination numbers. “Vaccination and prevention were the only way to control the pandemic.
” She said more testing played key role in identification of new cases and 25 new BSL 3 labs have been set up in Punjab.
She said, “The credit for hiring of 35,000 medical professionals goes to Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar. The establishment of seven Mother and Child Hospitals will help save many lives.
Record budget of Rs370 billion reflects very well the priorities of the government. With the support of the people, we will be to control the 4th wave of the Pandemic.”
The minister further said that Sehat Sahulat cards for all families of Punjab was a realization of the dream of the Prime Minister. She said the officers must notice and become part of the health reforms efforts.
