Islamabad: Giving warning of difficult times ahead due to the coronaviruspandemic, Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives AsadUmar said that the coming weeks can test the health system of Pakistan.
Addressing media at Coronavirus Command and Control Center, the ministersaid that the government was making efforts to improve capacity ofhospitals, ventilators and testing, besides focusing on ICU bedspreparation and quarantine facilities to deal with the emerging situation.
His remarks came amid sharply increasing number of infections in thecountry. The total cases in Pakistan have swelled to around 3,000 while 45people have died due to the new virus.
The Federal minister said that lockdown has proved effective as it slowedthe speed of the coronavirus spread, adding that the disease would haveaffected people massively if there had not been imposed a lockdown.
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He also thanked people for cooperating with the government by following thelockdown strategy, adding that the restrictions no doubt caused financiallosses to the people. It is affecting the daily wagers especiallyshopkeeper and vendors, but if continued, it would also engulf middle classof the country.
He added that the government needed to devise a strategy in future thatwould not lead to the suspension of business activities.
