Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Health Services Dr. Zafar Mirza said that the government inaugurates a health information system with having an update on the status of available facilities at public sector hospitals for the COVID-19 patients. It will help in the pandemic.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Health Services Dr. Zafar Mirza said that the government inaugurates a health information system with having an update on the status of available facilities at public sector hospitals for the COVID-19 patients.
Addressing a press conference here at the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), Dr Mirza said due to the information system, the government would be able to know the occupancy of beds and ventilators, and their availability at the intensive care units and allocated wards of hospitals.
He said with the help of the system, the authorities concerned could easily manage the situation in hospitals to properly treat the corona patients. Moreover, the shortage of any necessary equipment could also be addressed.
Dr. Mirza said although the number of patients on ventilators was increasing still the ratio of ventilator usage was 20 percent which meant still enough quantity of ventilators and beds were available in hospitals for the COVID-19 patients.
He said the government was committed to ensuring the availability of medical services and the provision of the best possible medical treatment for the corona patients at hospitals.
He said the government had made some amendments in the guidelines of the safe burial of dead COVID-19 patients for the safety of all those who attended the funeral ceremony or handled the dead bodies of individuals suspected or confirmed for Covid-19.
He said to date there was no scientific evidence of transmission of the virus through the dead body of the COVID 19 deceased case, yet it was vital to ensure precautionary measures while handling the bodies of suspected or confirmed cases.
He said adopting guidelines would help prevent any possible transmission.
There was no restriction on immediate family members to attend the funeral rituals.
He said anyone attending the body must use appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE) including gown, gloves, and masks, etc. He advised us to use face shield and goggles if there were a potential risk of body fluid splashes.
He said the body should be cleaned and dried, and it could also be covered with a white cloth, as per the religious practice, for the burial. The health care workers, family members, or mortuary staff, preparing the body for burial, should follow the standard precautions of wearing appropriate PPE.