50 artistes from Sargodha division receive relief package

LAHORE:Above 50 low-income artists of Sargodha Division received a cheque for Rs5,000 each on Friday under a relief package announced by Information and Culture Department of Punjab.

The relief package “Artist Support Fund” was designed to help poor artists amid the adverse impact of Coronavirus pandemic on the country’s economy during the lockdown.

Artistes from television, radio, painting calligraphy, music, technical staff and makeup category were included in this scheme. Keeping in view the Act 144 and other safety measures, the distribution ceremony was held at Punjab Council of Arts, Sargodha Division in which artistes from across the division were called individually. The amount was distributed by Adnan Khaliq Bhatti, the Programme Officer of the Arts Council.

Speaking on the occasion, Adnan Khaliq informed that the Department had verified all the applicants in order to ensure transparency adequately. Only deserving artistes were shortlisted who met the eligibility criteria set by the Department of Information and Culture, Punjab, he added.

Bhatti added that the Punjab government has always acknowledged the services of artistes as they were the reflection of our culture and our cultural ambassadors as well. The financial assistance will help in mitigating the adverse impacts of COVID-19 on their family budget, he said.

LGH: On the directions of Chief Minister Sardar Usman Bazdar, Lahore General Hospital (LGH) has established BSL Level 3 in Central Research Lab where PCR tests of coronavirus patients would also be conducted according to the World Health Organization’s guidelines. About 300 tests will be performed in 24 hours and soon the number will be increased to 500.

Speaking at the inauguration of BSL Level 3, Centeral Research Lab at the LGH, Postgraduate Medical Institute and Ameer Uddin Medical College Principal Professor Dr. Sardar Muhammad Alfreed Zafar said that Dr Ghazala Ruby, PhD and director of the lab, would only be authorised to attest the report issued by the lab for corona virus test.

LGH Medical Superintendent Dr Mahmood Salahuddin, Punjab Institute of Neuro Sciences Medical Superintendent Dr Ali Razzaq, Dr Irfan Malik, Dr. Amana Asif and other senior doctors were also present. Meanwhile, Alfreed Zafar told the media that the team of Punjab Healthcare Commission had reviewed the arrangements at BSL Level 3 and expressed satisfaction that the lab was being maintained in accordance with the international standards.

LWMC: The Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) has provided personal protective equipment (PPE) to all field staff here on Friday. Officials said LWMC Managing Director Rao Imtiaz Ahmad directed all the departments to adopt all preventive measures to combat coronavirus.

They said the company gave personal protective equipment to field workers to ensure their health and safety.

A special screening activity for workers was conducted at Barket Market and Gulberg to monitor their temperature prior to deputing them to their respective beats. The LWMC MD also monitored the activity himself along with General Manager Operations Sohail Malik.

The LWMC MD stated the workers were screened for coronavirus was to ensure if so anyone found affected would be given immediate medical relief. The MD appealed to the citizens for not to making unnecessary movement in the City and to dispose of the waste properly.

Talking on the occasion, the GM Operations stated that more than 700 vehicles and 8,000 workers were performing their duty in the field to ensure clean and healthy environment. Barket Market and its neighbouring area was washed with disinfectant.

A spokesperson for Lahore Waste Management Company stated that citizens could dial LWMC helpline 1139 or can use mobile-based application for waste-related complaints.