Pakistan is working on manufacture of local ventilators

Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry said scientists and researchers across Pakistan are working on manufacture of local ventilators.

Pakistan is working on manufacture of local ventilatorsHe further said that currently all ventilators used in our hospitals are being procured from China by the National Disaster Management Authority.

He informed that the total number of ventilators machines at hospitals across the country is 2,200 of which 1,500 are in working condition. We aim to double this quantity to 3,000 for which it is necessary that we produce ventilators ourselves instead of importing from other countries.

He told that this decision regarding the matter will be taken during a meeting of the Pakistan Engineering Council. I am confident that we will be successful in this project.

On the other hand, scientists and students have been working on developing Coronavirus testing kits and hand sanitisers locally. They have been successful in doing so.

Fawad Chaudhry added that we have been producing hand sanitisers since news of a shortage came out. More than 1,500 bottles are being produced everyday and we are planning to increase the number to 8,000. A 100 milliliter bottle of hand sanitiser costs Rs. 450.

The National University of Science and Technology (NUST) have also developed testing kits for COVID-19 locally. Additionally we are waiting for final approvals after which the kits will be introduced in the market.

He pointed that as these kits are cheaper than the imported ones, more people will be tested through them. The kits will cost Rs. 2,000, a quarter of the price of the ones being imported.