Covid-19 won’t leave soon: Governor Sarwar

LAHORE:Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar has announced starting a ‘tele-ration helpline’ from today (Tuesday) to provide food on daily basis to the poor at their doorstep.

Addressing at the University of Health Sciences (UHS), on Monday, after formally launching first national drug trial “Protect Pakistan” and inaugurating antiseptic tunnel, the governor said that covid-19 pandemic would not leave soon.

“Along with coronavirus, we have to save the people from hunger as well”, he said adding that three lakh persons would be provided ration with a cost of Rs1 billion. The governor said that large number of people were contributing to PM’s Corona Relief Fund and hoped that the number of alms-givers would surpass the alms-seekers.

He appreciated the UHS efforts in fight against coronavirus and assured that the results and recommendations originating from this research would be implemented by the Punjab and federal government.

The governor said that Pakistan was the role model for the world with regards to the use of telemedicine services to control the spread of deadly virus. “I have literally seen it turning into a success-story within a short span of two weeks only – that is something outstanding”, he said, commending the role of vice-chancellors of medical universities in establishing the telemedicine centres on such a short notice.

He informed that 7,000 doctors had registered themselves voluntarily to serve at these telemedicine centres. UHS Vice-Chancellor Prof Javed Akram claimed that “Protect Pakistan” was so far the biggest drug trial on coronavirus that was being conducted on 550 patients throughout the country.

He said that UHS was also carrying out a study on the genotype of coronavirus to find out recurring mutations in the virus. He said the governor had directed UHS and King Edward Medical University (KEMU) to launch joint-degree programme in health informatics.

Prof Javed said that the varsity had become capable of preparing around 9,000 personal protection equipment (PPE) per day for health workers fighting against Covid-19 as it had been able to get donations of more than Rs10 million so far.

KEMU Vice Chancellor Khalid Masud Gondal said that in view of its popularity and need, permanent department of telemedicine would be established in all medical universities of the province.

UHS pharmacology department’s head and co-researcher of “Protect Pakistan” drug trial, Prof Muhammad Shahzad informed that the Punjab would be a randomised controlled trial in which three drugs-hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin and oseltamivir- would be used separately as we in combinations to treat covid-19 patients.

The study would be completed in two weeks, he said. Punjab governor also cut a cake on this occasion to mark the start of the research. Dua was also offered for the success of the project and protection of the people of Pakistan from coronavirus.