AJK govt set to increase beds in ICUs at DHQs

MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government on Friday decided to immediately increase the beds strength in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) of all ten District Headquarter Hospitals (DHQs) to meet the emergent needs of escalating number of COVID-19 cases in the state.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting, presided over by Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan and attended by the cabinet members, chief secretary and high-ups of the health department.
The meeting also decided to enhance the testing capabilities by installing four new PCR machines in the state. Moreover, Isolation hospital with 300 beds capacity would also be setup in quarantine center established at new Prime Minister House.
It also decided to build the capacity of the medical officials engaged in treatment of COVID-19 patients in addition to provide them residential and isolation facilities.
The Prime Minister has accorded approval and immediate release of requisite funds for the installation of Central Oxygen System (COS) in the big state run hospitals where such facility does not exist.
The meeting thoroughly reviewed the outbreak of the coronavirus, future challenges and accorded approval to the government’s future strategy in this regard.
Addressing on the occasion, Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan said that provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and AJK had been empowered under the national policy to device any strategy considering the ground realities. “The decision of enforcing lockdown in the capital city was taken under this policy, which could be extended to other cities as well”, the PM added.
Lauding the services of medical community including doctors and paramedical staff, he said government would provide all requisite facilities to the front line warriors.
Raja Farooq Haider Khan directed the concerned officials to device a proper mechanism to address the grievances of the patients admitted in the isolation centers and hospitals.
Expressing grave concern over the fast growing number of COVID-19 cases in the state, he said such situation demands immediate precautionary measures and solid steps.
The Prime Minister assured to provide all requisite resources to the concerned departments to effectively deal with the emerging situation.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan prayed for the early and complete recovery of PML-N President and Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif who had been tested positive for the COVID-19.
In a statement issued here, he also prayed for the former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, ex Speaker National Assembly Ayyaz Sadiq and others victims of coronavirus.
Raja Farooq Haider Khan said that Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Ayyaz Sadiq had selfless served the nation. “We pray to Almighty Allah for everyone’s speedy recovery and complete elimination of the deadly virus from the country and the state”, the statement said.
The Prime Minister also expressed his sincere wishes for the early recovery of AJK Minister for State Disaster Management Authority and Civil Defense Ahmed Raza Qadri who also been tested positive for coronavirus.
Lauding his service as front line warrior, he said that Qadri had done tremendous work to save the lives of public during the state government’s response to the COVID-19 in the region.
The premier also made a telephonic contact with the Shahnawaz Yasin, the son of Opposition Leader in AJK Legislative Assembly Chudhary Muhammad Yasin and inquired about the health of his father.
He conveyed best wishes for his early health recovery.
It is pertinent to mention here that Chaudhary Muhammad Yasin was also tested positive and shifted to the hospital early morning on Friday.