Sindh sanctioned 30 million for Field Hospital at PAF Museum

KARACHI: The Sindh Coronavirus Emergency Fund Committee headed by Sindh Chief Secretary, Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah, in a recent meeting, sanctioned Rs30 million for establishing a 300-bed Field Hospital at the PAF Museum Karachi.

The committee also approved Rs720 million out of the Emergency Fund for purchasing the laboratory equipment, PPEs, machinery, and other required medical equipment while Rs500 million out of the Health Department’s budget for upgrading various public sector hospitals across the province.

Secretary Finance, while briefing the committee, gave details of the fund collection. According to him, Rs3.5 billion have so far been collected in the name of the Coronavirus Emergency Fund. The number of private donors is 1000. He informed that overseas Pakistanis had donated Rs14.6 million through the I-Care, and the names of all the donors are displayed at the website of Finance Department GoS.

Secretary Health informed that the delivery of medical equipment, including Personal Protection Equipment ordered through CEF by the Sindh government, has started.

The Committee decided to write to the FBR for exempting the Coronavirus Emergency Fund from Sales Tax, Income Tax, and Withholding Tax.

Chief Secretary directed for carrying out a transparent audit of all the equipment purchased through the reputed audit firms and ensure proper and transparent delivery onward to the hospitals through the Chief Minister's Inspection Team. He also sought detailed reports in this regard in the next meeting.

-MN Report