CM chairs Task Force meeting on coronavirus

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan chaired a meeting of the Provincial Task Force on COVID-19 at the CM House on Monday.

Officials of the Health and Relief departments briefed the forum on the latest situation of coronavirus in the province and arrangements made by the provincial government to minimise its possible outbreak.

The meeting was also briefed about the expected scenario of coronavirus in the upcoming days and preparedness level of various departments of the provincial government to effectively deal with any situation, according to an official communique.

Suggestions to minimise social contacts and unnecessary movement of general public were discussed. It was decided that the government would take any decision on need basis to control the possible outbreak of the virus at mass scale.

The meeting was also briefed about the purchase and supply of necessary equipment, with special focus on the protective clothing for the Health workers dealing with the coronavirus patients.

The chief minister termed the role of the Health workers of vital importance in the war against coronavirus and directed the quarters concerned to improve the protection of these frontline workers.

Minister for Health Taimur Saleem Jhagra, Advisor to CM on Information Ajmal Wazir, Special Assistant to CM on Local Government Kamran Bangash, Special Assistant to CM on Higher Education Khaliqur Rehman, Advisor to CM on Auqaf Muhammad Zahoor, Chief Secretary Dr Kazim Niaz, Inspector General of Police Sanaullah Abbasi and administrative secretaries of departments concerned attended the meeting.

Later, the chief minister paid a visit to the newly established quarantine centre on the premises of Postgraduate Medical Institute at Doranpur in the vicinity of Peshawar to review the arrangements made for suspected patients.

The chief minister was briefed that the centre had a capacity to accommodate 150 individuals, which could be increased if a need arises. Separate rooms have been spared for every individual, with washroom and other basic requirements. The chief minister was also informed that as part of precautionary measures, staff members deputed at the centre have voluntarily restricted themselves to the premises.

Mahmood Khan expressed his satisfaction at the arrangements made at the centre and appreciated the efforts of the management. Meanwhile, the chief minister visited the Command & Control Centre set up at the office of deputy commissioner of Peshawar.

On the occasion, the deputy commissioner said the centre was equipped with modern online technology and GIS mapping facility wherein personnel of the district administration, Health Department, police and security agencies perform duties round-the-clock.