'Made in Pakistan': First batch of ventilators handed over to NDMA, says Fawad

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry said that the first batch of local made ventilators has been handed over to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Monday.

In a tweet, the federal minister said “Prime Minister Imran Khan has handed over the first batch of “Safe Vent” to the NDMA which is a landmark achievement”.

The first batch delivered to the NDMA has 12 ventilators, according to APP report.

'Made in Pakistan' 

Last week, the minister had paid tribute to Pakistani engineers and scientists for making the 'Made in Pakistan' ventilators. He announced, in a speech at the National Assembly, that the first tranche of the equipment would be made available to the NDMA this week. 

Last month, the minister said that the ventilators were in the final phase of testing while he announced that the government had achieved another landmark as Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) approved the country's first COVID-19 testing kit.

The Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Health had also earlier signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the indigenous development of Electro Medical devices.

Electro-medical devices are being regulated by DRAP and 15 ventilators were in various phases of trials at the time. Machine trials of four ventilators by the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) were expected to be completed as well.

Noting that currently export orders worth $10 million are pending, the minister said that his ministry will also enhance cooperation with local surgical goods manufacturing companies.