Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhary has said that the government in collaboration with local industry was working to increase domestic production of personal protection equipment (PPE) to combat COVID-19 pandemic.

Talking to a private news channel here on Thursday, Fawad Chaudhry said that the government is also in an advanced stage to make local ventilators in Pakistan within next 10 to 15 days.

The disposable PPE gear to be worn by doctors, have also been certified by the Ministry of Health after meeting the appropriate and necessary parameters and shall also be cheaper in price compared to the imported ones, he added.

The Minister Science and Technology said that Pakistani PPE manufacturers are ramping up production to expand supply to other countries as demands from abroad surge amid COVID-19.

The country has expanded its production capacity in the battle against coronavirus, he mentioned.

Fawad Ch said that Pakistani ventilator manufacturers now are working round the clock to provide support to other countries in urgent need of ventilators while ensuring domestic supply.

After successfully start of local ventilator manufacturing. The Ministry of Science would also try to improve the availability of N-95 masks which is not available, he added.