KARACHI: A special National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) team visited various hospitals here on Friday as part of efforts to help local administrations build capacity to fight the coronavirus and offer possible assistance from the centre.

Led by prime minister’s focal person on Covid-19 Dr Faisal Sultan, the team visited Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Civil Hospital of Karachi, Liaquat National Hospital and Aga Khan University Hospital.

Dr Sultan was briefed on the challenges faced by the healthcare facilities and how they could be assisted by the NCOC.

Dr Sultan also met the provincial leadership and discussed national efforts made against Covid-19 so far and the future course of action.

The NCOC reviewed measures taken by the provincial authorities to ensure strict compliance of standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Meanwhile, chief secretaries of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir updated the NCOC on the steps taken for the compliance of SOPs and smart lockdowns in the areas affected with maximum Covid-19 cases reported so far.

It was also informed about a specially-designed mobile application “Pak Nighaban” launched with the help of the ministry of health. Initially associated with 1,110 hospitals across the country, this application will be supportive to get data about beds and ventilators by emergency responders, healthcare workers and citizens.

Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2020