Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday launched a telehealth portal aimed at providing a free medical consultation platform for patients to access doctors on mobile phones.
The facility will ensure a direct contact between doctors and patients in a safe environment in the wake of coronavirus pandemic.
The prime minister, in his remarks at the launch of the portal, said interaction through WhatsApp mobile numbers will help patients get medical advice without leaving their homes. He said the coronavirus has impacted a large number of people worldwide and precaution is the only option to avoid its infection till the availability of vaccine. He urged the nation to fight the disease with steadfastness and resilience.
He mentioned that the health system of several developed countries has collapsed due to over-burdening by the coronavirus patients. He expressed gratitude to Allah Almighty as Pakistan has not faced that much Covid-19 cases. He regretted that the country’s health sector was neglected in the past and needs immense improvement.
Imran Khan urged upon the doctors, particularly lady doctors, to volunteer themselves by getting registered with the telehealth portal and provide remote assistance to the patients. He said in the United Kingdom, only 0.2 million people have volunteered on call of the government during the coronavirus outbreak, whereas their number in Pakistan has touched one million. He said even after the pandemic is over, the portal will continue to benefit the public.
Digital Pakistan’s head Tania Aidrus said the doctors in Pakistan can sign up for a free consultation with the patients and the citizens can call up a corona screening questionnaire on Whatsapp +92 300 1111166 and opt to speak to a doctor. She appealed to the doctors to volunteer themselves to the portal and contribute in serving the nation in difficult times. She mentioned that Pakistan is the first country to launch such a facility for all its citizens across the country.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan said the role of ulema and religious leaders is vital in raising awareness about adopting safety measures against coronavirus.
He expressed these views in a meeting with Central Secretary of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf for Religious Affairs Pir Syed Habib Irfani and other ulema. He said the government believes in holding consultation with ulema and religious leaders on all matters of importance. The ulema presented several proposals for improving system of regulating mosques and shrines.
Separately, Prime Minister Imran Khan urged upon the general public to follow safety procedures against coronavirus during Eid holidays. In a meeting with his Adviser on Parliamentary Affairs Dr Babar Awan, the prime minister said the government is devising a strategy to effectively control the spread of disease in the country. He said the government is also focusing on providing relief to people to sustain the financial impact of lockdown, imposed in the wake of Covid-19. He expressed the determination to strengthen national institutions and said the positive response of international community and investors in Sukuk Bonds is reflective of their confidence in the government.
The prime minister said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is cognizant of the importance of Federation. He directed for convening a session of the Senate.
Dr Babar Awan presented a proposal on capacity building of young parliamentarians aimed at their effective participation in legislative process. The training will be given to young parliamentarians belonging to all political parties.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has decided to give administrative powers of 154,000 members of Corona Relief Tiger Force Sindh chapter to Governor Imran Ismail. The prime minister took the decision in a meeting with PM’s Special Assistant on Youth Affairs Usman Dar who presented him the weekly report on Corona Relief Tiger Force. The prime minister was informed that that at present 1,15,000 members of the force are contributing to relief activities in other provinces including 93,000 in Punjab, 19,000 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 1,500 in Balochistan.
