Murad approves purchase of 300,000 testing kits

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has approved purchase of six new rapid testing machines and 300,000 testing kits so that testing capacity of COVID-19 in the public-sector hospitals could be enhanced.
He took this decision on Saturday while presiding over a meeting to review the available stock of the kits to test the coronavirus suspects and existing capacity of testing per day.
The meeting was attended by Minister Health Dr Azra Pechuho, PSCM Sajid Jamal Abro, Secretary Health Dr Zahid Abbasi, Secretary Investment Najam Shah, Dr Bari of Indus Hospital, Dr Saba Jamal, Dr Saeed Khan of Dow Lab and MB Dharejo.
The chief minister was told that around 7,500 testing kits were available with the provincial government, and the stock was considered to be enough for the next seven days.
At this the chief minister directed the health department to purchase 300,000 more kits to have enough stock. The experts pointed out that 200,000 testing kits could be purchased from a UK firm. These kits have already been approved by the technical committee.
The chief minister approved the proposal and directed the Indus Hospital to place the order and try to get the consignment within the next 15 days. The chief minister was told that the testing capacity in the province had been enhanced from 200 to 2,020 per day.
Shah said that it should be at least 5,000 a day. The experts told him that the capacity could be enhanced by purchasing new PCR machines. The chief minister on the recommendations of the technical committee approved the purchase of six PCR machines meant for setting up testing system.
The chief minister also approved purchase of rapid testing machines along with 100,000 testing kits from Canada. New COVID-19 Unit: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah directed health department to establish a coronavirus patients unit at the Services Hospital, Karachi.
He directed repair of the wards, purchase of necessary equipments and posting of doctors and paramedical staff. Shah ordered immediate release of Rs13.4 million for establishment of the unit. Secretary Finance Hassan Naqvi, on the directive of the chief minister, released the funds to the health department.