Punjab Health Minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid on Wednesday 29th April inaugurated a Bio-Safety Level-3 (BSL-3) laboratory at the Institute of Public Health (IPH).
A delegation from Virtual University of Pakistan (VUP) led by Rector Virtual University, Mr. Naeem Tariq attended the inauguration ceremony along with HOD of Bio science department Dr. Tanveer Hussain, Dr. Asif Nadeem(Associate Professor Biotechnology VUP) and Mr. Farhan Nasir.
Under the supervision of Dr. Tanveer VUP is helping IPH in COVID-19 testing. Moreover, Virtual University of Pakistan has gifted IPH the most demanding machine of the time RT PCR device. Speaking on this occasion Rector Virtual University, Mr. Naeem Tariq said that his biotechnology and bioscience team will help IPH in every aspect to fight against this epidemic COVID-19.
 Dr.  Yasmin Rashid appreciated the efforts of all the stakeholders. She said the government is trying hard to enhance the province’s testing capacity. The Minister said every institution will have to play its role in the fight against the coronavirus.
She said the total number of people who have contracted the virus in the province has reached 5,730, of whom 1,380 have recuperated from the disease so far. As many as 75,000 tests have been conducted in the province till recently, she added. Dr. Yasmin Rashid said the province is capable of conducting 4,000 to 5,000 tests a day.