Daily Times

Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday inaugurated the country’s first-ever indigenously made ventilators at the National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) in Haripur.

The prime minister opened the project of local manufacturing of portable ventilators named ‘SafeVent SP100’, having the FDA/CE approval as economical and reliable ventilator in terms of usage and safety.

Terming the occasion as ‘landmark achievement’, the prime minister said abundant talent in the country can help gain self-reliance in technological innovation and vowed the government’s strong support to such initiatives. He commended the initiative of NRTC team and the Ministry of Science and Technology for successfully producing locally-made ventilators. He said Pakistan’s response to coronavirus pandemic and adopting strategy of smart lockdown while keeping economy afloat has been widely acknowledged. He mentioned that the government will focus on introducing and implementing comprehensive health reforms. He also visited various sections of NRTC and the production facility of ventilators.

Managing Director NRTC Brig Tofique Ahmed gave a detailed briefing to the prime minister about the history, sectors of research and development, products and services of NRTC. He said NRTC is indigenously providing services in diverse areas including communication equipment, e-policing, electro-medical equipment, and hardware and software. The inaugural ceremony was attended by Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry, Minister for Energy Omar Ayub, PM’s focal person for Covid-19 Dr Faisal Sultan and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lt General Muhammad Afzal.

The NRTC has already produced 15 units of SafeVent SP100 and has a production capacity to manufacture 250-300 units per month. Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Hussain said that the first batch of ‘Made in Pakistan’ ventilators were handed over to the NDMA on Monday.