PRCS to set up 150-bed hospital in Rawalpindi within 10 days

Islamabad: The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) is working to establish a 150-bed hospital in Rawalpindi for treatment of Coronavirus patients within the next ten days. Plans are also afoot to launch a diagnostic facility where tests will be conducted at highly affordable rates.

The Chairman of PRCS Abrar ul Haq made this announcement at a joint press conference also addressed by Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar here on Thursday. The two were flanked by Provincial Minister for Energy Dr. Akhtar Malik and PRCS Secretary General Khalid bin Majeed.

Speaking on the occasion, Muhammad Sarwar said, the Coronavirus monster can be defeated through political and national unity. “All political parties and religious groups should shun their petty differences and get united on the agenda of saving Pakistan from Coronavirus. The government cannot fight it alone; every segment will have to play its part in order to win this unique battle, which we have to fight by staying at home and practicing social-distancing,” he said. The Governor said, Pakistan needs to learn a lesson from China, which has successfully fought the disease by taking drastic measures.

Detailing the steps taken by PRCS thus far, Abrar said, qualified screening teams and ambulances have been deployed at the Chaman border to support the Balochistan government; 25,000 people have been screened for Coronavirus so far. An isolation ward has been set up at PRCS health facility in Gwadar, while 10 ambulances along with first-aiders have been deployed at Islamabad, Lahore and Quetta airports as well as the National Institute of Health for transportation of suspected cases. PRCS has also provided a water filtration plant for the government-run quarantine facility in Gadap Town, Karachi, besides extending logistic support for the quarantine facility in Kohat.

Abrar said, PRCS has widely distributed brochures with key messages on Coronavirus prevention, and has launched a campaign on mainstream and social media to raise public awareness about the disease.

“Pakistan has to face this global health challenge like a mature nation. This is a time to forge unity,” Abrar said, appealing to the business community to help people in need rather than resorting to profiteering.