Daily Times

The National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) on Friday took a detailed review of media campaigns launched by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) and provincial authorities to ensure strict compliance of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and overall status of healthcare equipment, Epi Curve Chart.

Additionally, the forum was informed about steps being taken for standardizing and assisting provinces on health facilities by sending special team led by Dr Faisal Sultan and establishment of helpline for FLHCIN was also discussed.

Minister for Planning Development Reforms and Special Initiatives Asad Umar, chaired the NCOC meeting. Speaking on the occasion, he appreciated the provincial chief secretaries, MoIB and ISPR for effective media campaign highlighting the stringent efforts made by the government to implement SOPs at grassroots level. “We should continue to hammer SOPs compliance in the masses whereas the positive outcome of enforcement should also be projected at the forum and media,” he said. It was suggested that the provincial chief secretaries should take the opportunity of trader associations contacting with media to make them realize their self-responsibility for implementing the SOPs in the markets. He mentioned that the government has two-pronged strategy focusing on disease spread control and upgrading the healthcare system.

An ISPR official briefed the forum that complete information sharing was carried out from the highest tier of the government to the lowest one whereas SOPs compliance data will flow from bottom to top. The prompt data sharing from the provinces was appreciated and the efforts made by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad Capital Territory administration was lauded for ensuring strong implementation of SOPs on the ground.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting (SAPM) Lieutenant General (r) Asim Saleem Bajwa said there was a need to create balance in the enforcement and avoid creating panic among the masses. He added that ground-level engagement with masses will help improve the impact of SOPs compliance. The SAPM also suggested the provinces to share their positive success stories with the ministry for better media projection and coverage.

The provincial chief secretaries including that of Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir apprised the forum on action taken for SOPs compliance and smart lockdowns implemented in the areas with maximum Covid-19 cases reported.

Punjab chief secretary informed the forum that other than Lahore hundreds of shops were sealed in Faisalabad, Rawalpindi and Multan whereas the City Traffic Police actively engaged with the masses for making awareness on wearing masks and fine to be imposed upto Rs 2,000 on violating the safety protocol.

Balochistan chief secretary told the forum that around 3,800 shops were sealed across the province on violating SOPs.

Sindh chief secretary mentioned that there was positive impact of media campaign on SOPs compliance where strict warning notices were issued to markets and shopkeepers on violating SOPs.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief secretary said that around 25,000 information and education pamphlets and banners were displayed on ‘No Mask, No Service’ whereas under takings were received from the traders before opening markets to comply with SOPs.

Gilgit-Baltistan chief secretary said around 440 shops were sealed and 1,000 people were fined on violation of SOPs where eight smart lockdowns were implemented in the areas with large number of Covid-19 cases.

AJK chief secretary noted that ‘No Mask, No Service’ was in place in the province since May 10 for effective SOPs compliance.

Meanwhile, the NCOC on Friday launched the Pak Nighaban app to provide information to the public about hospitals and the availability of ventilators. The app, which has data about 1,110 hospitals across Pakistan, will provide information about the number of beds, ventilators and all other details of the hospitals. It will also have information regarding emergency respondents and healthcare officials available at the hospitals. According to the officials, it will help save lives in cases of emergency as the people could easily check the app and go to the hospital that had the facilities available at that time.

Pak Nighaban can be downloaded from Google Play Store. A link has also been given on the government’s Covid-19 website – covid.gov.pk – to download it.