ISLAMABAD: As over 1,000 cases of Covid-19 and 22 deaths were reported in a single day across the country, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Zafar Mirza on Monday announced that around 17,000 healthcare providers have also got themselves registered with the Corona Relief Tiger Force.

“Around 1,800 of them are MBBS doctors. It is very encouraging information for us as these healthcare providers will be useful in the fight against Covid-19,” he said.

Dr Mirza said special questionnaires had been sent to all the 17,000 healthcare providers, asking them as to what kind of role they could play in their localities. “We have received their replies and around 900 doctors have offered their services in telemedicine,” he said.

Since a number of public and private hospitals have closed their outpatient departments (OPDs), patients can get advice from doctors through phone calls.

Dr Mirza said the government had already issued guidelines/standard operation procedures to prevent the spread of Covid-19. “We suggest to the masses to implement the guidelines so that the government could relax restrictions and open businesses,” he added.

The SAPM said a policy of tracking, testing and quarantine (TTQ) had been introduced due to which healthcare providers would be required in the field. Under the TTQ policy, health teams will visit residential, industrial and commercial areas to identify Covid-19 suspects.