A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding indigenous development of electromedical devices was signed between Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Health on Thursday.
The ceremony held at National Command and Operation Center (NCC) in Islamabad, was attended by Minister for Science and Technology Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, Prime Minister's Special Assistant (SAPM) on National Health Services Dr Zafar Mirza and Chairman Pakistan Engineering Council and Chief Executive Officer Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).
The framework under this mechanism would spark off innovation and local engineering solution in this field and will improve healthcare facilities.
This initiative is expected to open the way forward for the innovators to invest in this sector.
Currently, electromedical devices are being regulated by the DRAP and 15 ventilators are in various phases of trials, whereas, machine trials of 4 ventilators by Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) will be completed by the end of the current week.
Speaking on the occasion, Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said that Pakistan is in a position to export personal protective equipment.
Noting that currently exports orders worth 10 million dollars are pending, the science minister said that his ministry will also enhance cooperation with local surgical goods manufacturing companies.
Meanwhile, Dr Zafar Mirza said the ministry has improved healthcare system in Pakistan and soon we will be locally manufacturing ventilators.