Dr Yasmin Rashid warns of Delta variant threat

LAHORE : Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid has warned of the threat of Delta variant in the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Punjab. While delivering a lecture to civil servants completing promotional course for Grade 18 to 19 at the Management and the Professional Development Department (MPDD) here on Friday, the minister said that the third wave was deadlier than the previous two waves.

The health minister elaborated policies and priorities of the government, progress on the COVID-19 pandemic vaccination and control so far, Universal Health Coverage, Sustainable Development Goals and future goals of the health department.

Dr Yasmin Rashid said improvement in healthcare services and facilitation of common man was one of top priorities of Prime Minister Imran Khan. She further said COVID-19 pandemic engulfed the entire planet within a short span of time and added Pakistan was facing the fourth wave of the pandemic and the presence of Delta variant posed a huge challenge. “Coronavirus is mutating at a faster pace and its new variants are continuously emerging,” Dr Yasmin Rashid said and added Pakistan was comparatively less affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic. The minister further said that the role of the NCOC was pivotal in controlling the corona pandemic as it had provided strategic leadership both technically and administratively to all provinces. Pakistan and Punjab have battled the pandemic bravely. She said vaccination was being gradually scaled up and currently Punjab had averaged 350,000 daily vaccination numbers. Vaccination and prevention were the only way to controlling the pandemic, she said and added more testing played a key role in identification of new cases.

The health minister went on to say that 25 new BSL 3 labs had been set up in Punjab and added “The credit for hiring of 35,000 medical professionals goes to CM Usman Buzdar.” She further said Sehat Sahulat cards for all families of Punjab was a realisation of the dream of the PM Imran Khan.