–107 deaths, 6,397 new cases recorded from across Pakistan over 24 hours
–Package for healthcare workers includes tax concessions, financial assistance up to Rs10m for families of martyred workers
ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Friday announced a seven-point special package for healthcare workers to acknowledge their efforts and sacrifices on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic, as 107 deaths and 6,397 new cases of the deadly virus were reported from across the country over the last 24 hours.
The death toll has reached 2,463 while the total number of Covid-19 positive cases have hit 125,933 as of Friday evening.
Out of the 125,933 reported cases, 47,382 are in Punjab, 46,828 in Sindh, 15,787 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 7,673 in Balochistan, 6,699 in Islamabad, 1,038 in Gilgit-Baltistan and 534 in Azad Kashmir. A total of 28,344 corona tests were also carried out during this period. So far, 40,247 patients have recovered from the disease.
Addressing the media at the National Command and Operation Centre, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Health Dr Zafar Mirza said the seven-point package would entail tax concessions for all healthcare workers. Besides, a Martyrs Package has been announced by the federation, which would include financial assistance to families of healthcare workers, who lose their lives during the pandemic. The package would range from Rs3 million to Rs10 million depending on their ranking grade.
Weekly needs of hospitals across the country will be assessed in cooperation with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to protect frontline health workers and ensure the provision of masks and safety kits.
Security of hospitals will be made foolproof – in response to reports of healthcare workers being harassed by relatives of coronavirus patients.
A code of conduct is being drafted in collaboration with PEMRA to prevent defaming of healthcare workers in the media.
Training has been initiated on two fronts – a short course for 5,000 intensive care workers has begun in collaboration with experts from a Chinese university. A 1,000 healthcare workers have already been trained under this course, claimed Dr Mirza.
Besides, under the name of ‘We Care’ training programme healthcare workers are being trained online on safety measures, said Dr Mirza, adding that a 100,000 healthcare workers will be trained under the programme, and 20,000 have been trained already.
Besides, emotional support is being provided under ‘Psycho Social Support’ which will provide support and training on psychological issues. A helpline in this regard on 1166 is being expanded. Experts will be available to provide guidance and support for healthcare workers.
The State Bank of Pakistan has introduced a scheme called ‘Refinance Facility for Covid-19’ under which loans are being provided to private hospitals on ‘easy’ terms so that the healthcare facilities may enhance their capacity. Imports of hospitals would be tax-deductible and efforts would be made to ensure tax concessions.
Dr Mirza added that three per cent of healthcare workers in Pakistan are fighting the pandemic, which is a lower figure than in other countries. However, if a healthcare worker contracts the disease, or if their family does, they will be provided tests and medications on a priority basis, he said.
He further added that programmes are being organised to ensure that the nation always remembers the ‘sacrifices of these great martyrs’.
