The Punjab government has so far released Rs 6.738 billion to Primary & Secondary Healthcare (P&SH) Department to fight the spread of COVID-19.
As per the information available with Daily Times, the Finance Department of Punjab has released Rs. 236 million in the last week of February for Purchase of Mask, PPEs, Printing etc.
The information was shared by the P&SH Department Punjab after the directives of the Punjab Information commission. The available data shows that 2000 Million rupees were released in March for Purchase of PCR Kits, Mask, PPEs, incentive for staff performing duties related to COVID-19 and hiring of contingent paid staff for HDU/isolation & Quarantine Centres.
Additionally, Rs 629 Million were released for Upgradation of 03 BSL-II Labs into BSL-III Labs including IPH Lahore, 01 Birdwood Road Lahore & Nishtar Hospital Multan and Establishment of 05 BSL-III Labs at Allied Hospital Faisalabad, THQ Wazirabad, BBH Rawalpindi, Civil Hospital B. Pur & Teaching Hospital D. G. Khan. Out of 8, seven labs have been made operational, inspected and by Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC).
The data says, these Labs have maximum capacity of testing 190 samples per day (manually). Rs. 347-Million have been utilized for Lab’s work and Purchase of Equipment. Lab Consumables were also purchased for a period of 3 months. Additional items will be purchase from these funds as per requirement, data stated.
In the first week of April, 2020, Rs 2,543 -Million were released again for purchase of additional PCR Kits, Masks (Surgical & N95), PPEs, Consumables, Disinfectants etc. While Rs. 902.748-M were released for purchase of Medical Equipment demanded by Districts, Thermal Guns, Fogger Machines, Spray Pumps and other necessary equipment, Rs. 1-M for furniture items demanded by Districts, Rs.40-M for repair of Ventilators & CT Scan Machines, Rs.150-M for awareness and communication related to COVID-19 through awareness material and Print & electronic media, Rs. 36-M for acquisition of temporary ware-hose (about 100,000 sq ft) for a period of 6 months, Rs. 200-M for emergency necessary medicines, which would be helpful for COVID-19 patient (some of required medicines & supplies are also supplied from available stock).
Data further stated that repair of ventilators completed in all the Hospital under P&SH Department, while Purchase for PCR Kits, Masks (Surgical & N95), PPEs, Consumables, Disinfectants etc and process for acquisition for ware-house is also in progress. It is pertinent to mentioned that the information was made public after the directives of PIC in a suo motu order. The department has also shared the information on their website.