ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has appealed to the nation to celebrate Eidul Azha with simplicity, strictly observing standard operating procedures (SOPs) against coronavirus.
He was talking to media after inaugurating Isolation Hospital and Infectious Treatment Centre here on Thursday.
The Prime Minister said any carelessness on the occasion of Eidul Azha will lead to a fresh spike in the coronavirus cases, adding the COVID-19 curve is flattening in the country.
“I appeal to my people not to do again what they did on previous Eid (Eidul Fitr). Any public gathering reasons the spread of the virus and puts pressure on hospitals, doctors and nurses besides causing deaths,” the Prime Minister remarked.
The Isolation Hospital and Infection Treatment Centre, which has 250 beds, has been built in just 40 days. The Chinese government had provided $4 million for the construction of the facility.
Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Bajwa, Chinese Ambassador to Islamabad Yao Jing, and other high-ranking officials were also present on the occasion.
The Prime Minister credited the implementation of the smart lockdown across the country for bearing positive results. He said the effective measures collectively taken by the provinces as advised by the NCOC, have amazingly led to the flattening of coronavirus curve even before the projected time frame.
He said as the infection rate is on a downward trend, it could also surge again if the people show negligence and violate the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
“I appeal the people to celebrate this Eid with simplicity. The SOPs have been formulated for the Eid. Just for sake of national economy and well-being of old-aged people and already ailing people, it is essential to observe Eid with simplicity,” the Prime Minister said who earlier visited different sections of the hospitals after unveiling its plaque.
He lauded the tremendous work by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for completion of the facility in record 100 days period despite the lockdown impeding the movement of the people and transportation of material.
He said the completion of such a specialised hospital manifested the political will of the government to carry out the challenging task in a difficult time.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed for ensuring strict implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and all the precautionary measures on the occasion of Eidul Azha. Chairing a meeting here to review COVID-19 situation in the country, he expressed satisfaction over the positive outcome of steps to control coronavirus.
The Prime Minister directed for holding of National Command and Operation Centre meetings in all the provincial capitals to further effectively improve administrative measures in collaboration with the provincial governments to contain coronavirus pandemic.
He was apprised that due to decreasing number of coronavirus cases, the burden on hospitals has also reduced to a great extent.
It was further informed in the meeting that beds with specific treatment facilities for the coronavirus patients have been increased to 1,500 and it would be further taken to a total of 2,500 in the next few days.
On the occasion, the Prime Minister was given a detailed briefing on recent situation, regional scenario, positive outcome of the smart lockdown strategy, available facilities and beds in hospitals for the COVID infected patients, and strategy during Eidul Azha and Muharram-ul-Haram to control spread of coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed Planning Minister Asad Umar, Special Assistant Shehzad Qasim and Governor Sindh Imran Ismail to meet the K-Electric administration as soon as possible and resolve the issue of power outages in the port city.
The Prime Minister issued these directions during a meeting with Sindh Governor who called on him here on Thursday.
They discussed overall situation in the province with focus on corona situation and matter pertaining to K-electric in Sindh.
In order to resolve the issues related to K-Electric, the Prime Minister directed Asad Umar, Shehzad Qasim and Governor Sindh to meet the K-Electric administration.
The Sindh Governor appreciated the Prime Minister’s vision and successful strategy regarding coronavirus. – TLTP