China directs companies to treat Pakistan as a preferred buyer in healthcare equipment assistance: NDMA Chairman

While addressing media at a news briefing, Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lieutenant General Muhammad Afzal said that Other than available 2200 ventilator in public sector, NDMA decided to achieve the target of acquiring more 10,000 ventilators to cope with recent pandemic outbreak. Nothing is available anywhere except in China.

NDMA is in coordination with NDRC (National Development and Reform Commission) and foreign ministry of China. They are issuing instructions to their factories to provide the material Pakistanis as a preferred buyer. Acquiring protective gear for doctors is government’s first priority. Import of the healthcare equipment, though in small numbers, will start from Wednesday, Chairman NDMA added.

The first batch of protective equipment (arrived today March 25) to include one million masks, out of which 50,000 will be N-95 masks. Another cargo will arrive on Thursday including overall combination of 30,000 medical equipment. Moreover, 50,000 testing kits will arrive. The textile to prepare protective gear will also arrive for Lahore’s manufacturer factor. Flight from Wuhan to carry 6-ton material comprised of around 16-17 ventilators and protection equipment. Arrival of another substantial number is also expected on this Friday flight to Beijing and Chengdu. There can be delay of a day or two due to procedural issues of international flight operations.

On Saturday, around 12 ton of medical equipment will arrive on flight from Urumqi. On the same day March 28, as NDMA has requested Xinjiang government and Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan to coordinate, the border will be opened. Moreover, local investors and importers are requested to take advantage of this opportunity and assured assistance to them in booking and processing their orders. The government has contacted manufacturers of medical equipment and requested them to make investment. Moreover, assured to facilitate them under one window operation and took responsibility of clearance from the State bank, FIA, and Custom.

Chairman NDMA added that we booked 6 orders in period of less than two months. Official also urged people to not to stimulate the sale of medical gears than storing them. Once crisis is over, things will be fine.