Moonis joins the call for free coronavirus testing

It is not just the opposition leaders who are critical of the government’s approach to tackle coronavirus pandemic, as even Moonis Elahi, a member of ruling alliance, on Saturday called for free testing and highlighted the lack of kits at the state-run hospitals.

In a tweet, Moonis said the coronavirus testing kits were not available at most of the hospitals.

کورونا ٹیسٹ کٹس کی بیشتر سرکاری ہسپتالوں میں عدم دستیابی۔ بے روزگاری کاشکارغریب عوام 5000 سے 8000 روپے فی کس کاپرائیویٹ کورونا ٹیسٹ کروائیں یابچوں کو دو وقت کی روٹی کھلائیں؟ بے جا پیسہ ضائع کرنے کے بجائے حکومت غریب عوام کوفوراً مفت کورونا ٹیسٹ کی سہولت دے۔#Covid_19

— Moonis Elahi (@MoonisElahi6) April 11, 2020

But it is not just the shortage issue, as the PML-Q leader asked whether the poor, jobless people and farmers should arrange the test costing Rs5,000-8,000 or manage food for their children.

The government should immediately provide the free testing facility to the people instead of wasting money aimlessly, said the PML-Q.

Moonis is not the first person to call for free tests, as PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif had demanded the same earlier, saying that the coronavirus testing should be made free-of-cost with immediate effect.

On the other hand, Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed on Friday took his first suo moto regarding the shortage of facilities in hospitals.

According to the notice, the step was taken in view of the inadequate measures put in place by the authorities at hospitals to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

A five-member larger bench will hear the matter on April 13 (Monday).