Antigen test at govt hospitals soon: Health Minister

Health Minister Zahid Malik has said that Corona test with antigen method will start at government hospitals of the country soon.

He told reporters at a function at the Secretariat on Monday afternoon to receive health care equipment provided by Taiwan in collaboration with Walton.

The minister said antigen testing of corona will be started in government hospitals of the country soon. 

Rapid antibody tests will not be approved, he said, adding that there will be a limited number of antigen tests at government hospitals where there are labs.

The minister said some of the hospitals designated for Corona would be declared non-covid hospitals as there are a few number of patients there.

Regarding vaccines, the minister said "China, India, Russia and the United Kingdom are inventing vaccines. We have contacts with these countries as well as the World Health Organization. The vaccine will be taken from those countries where it will be found first with affordable cost and easy availability."

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi and Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar, Commerce, Telecommunications and Health Secretaries were present on the occasion.