Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar has said that Punjab government has taken many important decisions regarding prevention from coronavirus and treatment of patients along with other precautionary measures. So far, coronavirus has been diagnosed in 96 patients in Punjab which include 76 pilgrims arriving from Iran, 15 cases from Lahore, three from Gujrat, one from Jhelum and one from Rawalpindi. He added that 1250 pilgrims have reached to quarantine centre Multan which are being properly looked after. Punjab government has prepared SOPs with regard to keeping isolation at homes which will be shared with the federal government and then implementation on them will be ensured. Usman Buzdar was giving a briefing to media with regard to steps taken for the prevention of coronavirus. He stated that health emergency has been imposed in Punjab and cabinet committee holds daily meetings in connection with regard to corona. Cabinet committee reviews all the conditions and recommends steps to be undertaken and take decisions to safeguard the lives of the masses. He further said that Punjab government has released funds worth Rs8 billion immediately for health department and PDMA while one thousand bedded field hospital will also be set up at Expo Centre Lahore for which directions have been given. Arrangements will also be made for admitting patients in private hospitals and hotels. Our doctors and paramedical staff are standing on the front line in order to cope up with coronavirus and I pay tributes to my doctors and paramedical staff, he commended. Punjab government will grant special package to doctors and paramedical staff for effectively dealing with coronavirus. A committee has also been constituted under the headship of provincial law minister to resolve problems of the doctors. We will induct 8 to 10 thousand doctors and paramedical staff in the prevailing emergency situation. He further maintained that no daily wages employees will be dismissed from his employment and they will keep on receiving salaries. A committee has also been constituted under the headship of finance minister in this regard. He further said that the Punjab government will set up quarantine centre consisting of 10 thousand beds in 24 hours. It also have the capability and competence and all our preparations have been completed in this regard. Usman Buzdar further pays compliments to chief minister Balochistan for properly looking after those pilgrims which belong to Punjab and have arrived from Taftan. Punjab government will provide funds worth Rs1 billion to Balochistan government while Chief Minister Fund is also being established in Punjab and philanthropists have given their complete assurance to contribute generously in this fund. He further said that Punjab government has granted funds to health department amounting to Rs236 million which have been spent and health department has its own mechanism for purchasing necessary equipments and other instruments. A few equipments are purchased at federal level and the remaining on provincial level. He further told that next cabinet meetings will be held via video link and very important officers will participate in this video link meeting. All these measures are proof of our determination that we and the masses are standing side by side in this war. In reply to a question, Usman Buzdar said that everybody do not need to wear mask. Few politicians are only criticising despite this national issue. In reply to another question, Usman Buzdar said that he can only pray for such persons. Provincial Ministers Dr Yasmin Rashid, Mussarat Jamshed Cheema MPA, Chief Secretary, Secretary SH&ME, Principal Secretary to CM, Secretary P&SH and Secretary Information also attended the meeting.
