LAHORE   -  Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid called on Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar at his office on Tuesday to discuss safety measures against the fifth coronavirus wave and the progress made on the New Pakistan National Health Card programme.

The chief minister expressed concern over the increase in corona patients and directed the strict implementation of anti-corona SOPs to remain safe from the virus.

“In view of the current wave, citizens need to be more careful,” he said and asked the Health Department to continue its sensitisation campaign. “The process of administering booster doses to the citizens should be expedited as the door-to-door vaccination facility is provided by the government,” he added.

The CM said the New Pakistan National Health Card was the flagship programme of the PTI-led government which would provide free treatment of Rs1 million to every family in a year. “Moreover, the number of beds has been increased from 10,000 to 30,000 under the universal healthcare programme along with enhancing the number of public and private sector hospitals on panel from 43 to 150,” he said.

The chief minister said that the New Pakistan National Health Card would be used for the treatment of deadly diseases including cancer. “In case of heart disease, hepatitis, liver disease, TB, AIDS, emergency and fracture, free treatment will be provided through private hospitals across the province,” he she said and announced that free medical facilities would be made available to 30 million families and 115 million people by March the current year.

The Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department secretary and Principal Secretary to CM were also present on the occasion.