ISLAMABAD: A cargo airplane of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), laden with medical equipment from China, landed at the Islamabad International Airport early Sunday morning.
Reportedly, the consignment comprises of ventilators, N-95 face masks and protective medical gear for doctors performing field duty.
It has also emerged that the air transport fleet of PAF has been assigned with the responsibility to airlift relief cargo from China.
China is extending full support to Pakistan in its efforts to contain the coronavirus. China’s assistance to Pakistan so far includes 12,000 test kits, 300,000 masks, 10,000 protective suits, and support to build an isolation hospital.
Yesterday, a special Chinese flight carrying an eight-member team of medical experts and relief assistance landed in Islamabad. The team will stay in Pakistan for two weeks, it was reported.
The plane carried over 10,000 test kits, 10,000 N95 masks, 100,000 disposable medical masks,5,000 medical protective clothes, five ventilators, 11 defibrillator monitors and 62,000 sets of drugs for treating COVID-19. In addition to the Chinese government, the private sector including Alibaba Foundation and Jack Ma Foundation has also donated 50,000 test kits and 500,000 face masks.
CONTAINER HOSPITALS:
Balochistan government will open container hospitals and relief and emergency centres as it ramps up efforts to contain the virus’ spread, Chief Minister Jam Kamal said.
According to details, these container hospitals will be equipped with all medical facilities such as operation theatres, isolation wards and residences for doctors and paramedical staff. The temporary hospitals will also have a separate room for pre-burial procedures for deceased patients.
These containers will be sent to remote areas of the province, authorities said.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), initially, 1,500 container hospitals will be prepared.
KP ISSUES QUARANTINE GUIDELINES:
Meanwhile, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department issued guidelines for quarantining and isolation of suspected coronavirus patients.
According to the notification, a person who has come into contact with a confirmed patient should be quarantined but sampling should be avoided. If the person shows symptoms, they should be isolated.
