Pakistan Will Soon Conduct 40,000 Coronavirus Tests in a Day
According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lieutenant General Mohammad Afzal, Pakistan is going to attain the capacity to conduct around 40,000 coronavirus tests per day.
He made this statement in an interview after receiving 18 tonnes of medical equipment from China via a special flight of the PIA. He also added that the National Disaster Risk Management Fund (NDFMA) had joined hands with the NDMA to procure medical goods from China that value up to $50 million.
While speaking about the consignment, Afzal said that it included 15 x-ray machines, 159 ventilators, 200 thermal guns, 15,000 protective gowns, 290,000 surgical masks, 30,000 gloves, 5,000 safety goggles and other personal protective equipment (PPE).
“Three to four more flights carrying mostly PPE and ventilators would arrive soon,” he said.
The chairman of NDMA thanked NDRMF for sponsoring the consignment of medical supplies. In response, the CEO of NDRMF said that they did so to ensure the safety of the doctors and paramedics who’re fighting against the virus on the front lines.
He also said that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) was funding approximately $105 millions to the NDRMF for procuring PPE, which will be distributed and provided to the federation and the provinces by the NDMA. The World Bank will also give to Pakistan around $60 million for this purpose.
Nadeem Ashraf also said that the NDRMF will also try to create employment opportunities for the affectees of the virus and lock down situation. He also added that negotiations for around 40-45 million for the same purpose.
